Activity and Structure of Stored Aerobic Granules

Abstract

This study investigates how storage temperatures and periods under extended idle conditions affected the stability and activity of granules that have a high phenol-degrading capability. The granule activity increased as storage temperature decreased, and declined as storage time increased. Granules stored with pure water at room temperature (20.8±5.6° C) lost stability after three months storage. Particularly, granules stored with 500 mg 1⁻¹ phenol solution demonstrated high phenol degradation capability following storage. Further, storage at subfreezing temperatures (−20° C) is an ideal way of preserving stability and activity of phenol-fed granules. Anaerobic degradation of proteins in granule core by obligate anaerobic strain such as Bacteroides sp. corresponded to the stability loss of stored granules.

Keywords:

• GRANULE STRUCTURE
• CONFOCAL LASER SCANNING MICROSCOPE
• PHENOL DEGRADATION