Bioresource Technology 2014-10-01

Analysis and behavior of colistin during anaerobic fermentation.

C Riemenschneider, W Zerr, N Vater, H Brunn, S A I Mohring, G Hamscher

Index: Bioresour. Technol. 170 , 303-9, (2014)

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Abstract

A new analytical method for the determination of colistin in fermenter samples was developed followed by a study on the behavior of this substance during anaerobic fermentation. Analysis of colistin A and B was carried out by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Separation of the analytes was performed on a Security Guard column (4×3mm). Fourteen fermentation tests in batch as well as in continuous reactors were carried out. After 44days of anaerobic digestion of cattle manure, initially spiked with 500mg/kg of colistin sulfate, a considerable decrease of the colistin concentration to less than 1mg/kg could be observed. Furthermore, the daily production of biogas and methane was measured. A correlation between gas production and colistin concentration could not be determined. However, an increase of 10% of the cumulative methane production was observed in those fermenters spiked with an initial bolus of 500mg/kg colistin. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.