BIOCHEMICAL-CHANGES DURING ANAEROBIC-DIGESTION OF TOMATO PROCESSING WASTE

Studies on biochemical changes during anaerobic degradation of tomato processing waste (TPW) were carried out both in batch and semicontinuo us modes of digestion. Around 65% of hemicellulose and 50% of cellulos e components of TPW were degraded in both processes. Although 70% of p rotein was degraded in the batch process only 35% was degraded in the semicontinuous process. In contrast, lipid was degraded to a greater e xtent in the semicontinuous process than in the batch process. These d ata suggest that lipid degradation occurred through biohydrogenation a nd beta-oxidation mechanisms in both processes. The kinetics of degrad ation of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and their further conversi on to volatile fatty acids and methane in both processes are discussed .