Abstract:
The diversity and population of microbes within granular sludge treating cassava starchwastewater was studied using molecular techniques. Two 16S rRNA gene libraries ofBacteria and Archaea populations were constructed. A total of 107 bacterial clones and94 archaeal clones were grouped by amplified rDNA restriction analysis (ARDRA).Within the domain Bacteria, Proteobacteria (46%) and Flexibacteria-Cytophaga-Bacteroides group (32%) were the predominant members. The four subclass ofProteobacteria were found, including members of the ? (27%)-, ? (10%)- , and ?/?(9%)-subclass. For the Archaea populations, the majority of clones (81%) wereaffiliated with the acetoclastic methanognes, Methanosaeta sp., as member of FamilyMethanosarcinaceae. The remaining clones were related to members ofhydrogenotrophic groups, Genus Methabacterium sp., Methanogenium sp., andMethanofollis sp.. Conventional cultivation; most probable number (MPN) andfluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using 16S rRNA-targeted specific probes werecompared for the enumeration of microbial populations. The microbial populationswere characterized using FISH, rRNA targeted oligonucleotide probes specific forBacteria-domain, methanogens (archaeal) and sulfate reducing bacteria. MPN estimateswere approximately 10-100-fold lower than the corresponding FISH. Changes inmicrobial population levels and community structure were followed during startup ofthe reactor and these changes were linked to operational and performance data. Insludged-bed, bacterial cells were the predominant, increased up to 75% while archaealcells down to 13%, as increased organic loading rate (OLR). In packed-bed bothbacteria and archaeal cells remained constant, representing 53 and 40%, respectively. Atstartup seed and OLR1, Methanosaeta-like cells were the most abundance in the sludgesamples. When the OLR was increased to 2 kg COD/m3/day, aceticlastic methanogenschanged to Methanosarcinar-like cells.