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Microbial characterization and quantification of an anaerobic sludge degrading dimethyl phthalate
Author(s) -
Liang D.W.,
Fang H.H.P.,
Zhang T.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2008.04003.x
Subject(s) - firmicutes , acidobacteria , phthalic acid , proteobacteria , chloroflexi (class) , bacteroidetes , biology , anaerobic bacteria , dimethyl phthalate , anaerobic exercise , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , microbial population biology , sewage sludge , phthalate , bacteria , chemistry , 16s ribosomal rna , sewage treatment , waste management , organic chemistry , physiology , genetics , engineering
Aims: Characterization and quantification of microbial community in dimethyl phthalate (DMP)‐degrading anaerobic sludge using molecular techniques. Methods and Results: An enriched anaerobic sludge effectively degrading over 99% of dimethyl phthalate in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for 530 days was characterized and quantified by 16S rRNA‐based molecular methods. A total of 78 Bacteria clones were classified into 22 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in nine divisions, including Firmicutes , Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Thermotogae , Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi , Spirochaetes , Acidobacteria and two candidate divisions. The two most abundant OTUs were likely responsible, respectively, for the de‐esterification of DMP and the subsequent phthalate degradation. The outer layer of the granule was dominated by Bacteria; whereas the interior was by Archaea , of which 89 ± 5% were acetoclastic Methanosaetaceae and 11 ± 5% hydrogenotrophic Methanomicrobiales . Conclusions: Twenty‐two Bacteria OTUs in DMP‐degrading anaerobic sludge distributed in nine divisions. The two most abundant OTUs were likely responsible respectively for the de‐esterification of DMP and the subsequent phthalate degradation. Layered granular microstructure of DMP‐degrading anaerobic sludge suggested that the rate of DMP de‐esterification is faster than its inward diffusion rate. Significance and Impact of the Study: This work is the first study to characterize and quantify the microbial community in the anaerobic phthalic ester degrading sludge from the anaerobic reactor.