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Analytical Properties of the Soluble, Metal‐complexing Fractions in Sludge‐Soil Mixtures: V. Amino Acids, Hexosamines, and Other Carbohydrates in Fulvic Acid
Author(s) -
Holtzclaw Kenneth M.,
Schaumberg Gene D.,
LeVesqueMadore C. S.,
Sposito Garrison,
Heick J. A.,
Johnston Cliff T.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1980.03615995004400040015x
Subject(s) - chemistry , fulvic acid , amino acid , sewage sludge , hexosamines , galactosamine , environmental chemistry , chromatography , biochemistry , organic chemistry , sewage treatment , glucosamine , humic acid , fertilizer , engineering , waste management
The quantitative distribution of amino acids, hexosamines, and other carbohydrates was determined for three representative, purified fulvic acids extracted from anaerobically‐digested sewage sludges. The amino acid content ranged from 5 to 9 wt % in the three fulvic acids and the distribution of acidic, neutral, and basic amino acids generally was similar to that in soil‐derived fulvic acids. The principal difference between the two types of fulvic acid was with the S‐containing amino acids, which were more abundant in the sludge‐derived fulvic acids. The content of galactosamine was very high in the three fulvic acids studied, with the result that the glucosamine/galactosamine ratio was about an order of magnitude lower in these fulvic acids than what is typical for soil‐derived fulvic acids. The content of neutral and acidic sugars ranged from 12 to 25 wt % in the fulvic acids, with a distribution of neutral sugars that was similar to what is found typically in natural soil organic matter. Thus the amino acid, hexosamine, and carbohydrate components of sludge‐derived fulvic acid may account for up to 50 wt % of this material. The major differences among these components between sludge‐derived and soil‐derived fulvic acids appear to be related to the high sulfur content of the sludge‐derived fulvic acids and their expected high content of anaerobic bacterial residues.