RAPID ESTIMATION OF BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN-DEMAND USING A MICROBIAL MULTISTAGED BIOREACTOR

A multi-staged bioreactor system consisting of Trichosporon cutaneum i mmobilized in Ca-alginate bead and nylon columns was prepared for the estimation of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of waste waters. When a sample solution containing the equivalent amount of glucose and glutam ic acid (GGA) was injected into the reactor system, the dissolved oxyg en (DO) in the sample was decreased with the concentration of GGA. The response time was within 10 min. A linear relationship was observed b etween the DO decrease and a concentration below 90 ppm glucose and 90 ppm glutamic acid (5-day BOD, 130 ppm). This reactor system was appli ed to untreated waste waters. Good comparative results were obtained b etween BOD estimated by this reactor system and that determined by the conventional 5-day method.