Journal of Biotechnology 2003-03-06

Estimation of viable biomass in aerobic biodegradation processes of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW).

Ewa Liwarska-Bizukojc, Stanislaw Ledakowicz

Index: J. Biotechnol. 101(2) , 165-72, (2003)

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Abstract

2-(p-Iodophenyl)-3-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride (INT) dehydrogenase test and RNA assay were introduced to evaluate biomass in the processes of aerobic biodegradation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) in bioreactors. It was found that RNA quantification by KOH/UV method delivered reliable and repeatable results. Relative standard deviation (RSD) for INT test was significantly higher than for RNA assay and achieved values of 3-15%. Moreover, it occurred that the optimum temperature for the growth of autochthonic biomass, which takes part in the biodegradation process, was in the range from 25 to 37 degrees C.Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.