BIODEGRADATION OF AROMATIC-COMPOUNDS IN A SELF-CYCLING FERMENTER (SCF)

The Self-cycling fermentation (SCF) technique was applied to the biode gradation of several aromatic compounds by Pseudomonas putida and Pseu domonas fluorescens. The SCF technique was shown to hate several advan tages over the sequential batch reactor and other methods of biodegrad ation. The SCF technique allowed stable and repeatable performance ove r an extended period of time, with almost complete substrate consumpti on. The system was flexible acid easily adapted to changes in concentr ation and/or type of substrate. The rates of consumption were consider ably higher than reported for any other biodegradation technique.