Aerobic degradation of olive mill wastewaters

Abstract

The degradation of olive mill wastewater by aerobic microorganisms has been investigated in a batch reactor, by conducting experiments where the initial concentration of organic matter, quantified by the chemical oxygen demand, and the initial biomass were varied. The evolution of the chemical oxygen demand, biomass and the total contents of phenolic and aromatic compounds were followed through each experiment. According to the Contois model, a kinetic expression for the substrate utilization rate is derived, and its biokinetic constants are evaluated. This final predicted equation agrees well with all the experimental data.

Bioremediation and biovalorisation of olive-mill wastes

“…Aerobic bacterial consortia from different sources have also been utilised for bioremediation of OMWW (Benitez et al 1997;Zouari and Ellouz 1996a). Several recent studies have focussed on this subject, but available information about the indigenous microbiota of OMWs is still scarce.…”

Microbial Biotechnology in Olive Oil Industry

“…Bioremediation of OMWW using aerobic consortia has been quite successful in these studies, achieving significant reductions in COD (up to 80%) and the concentration of phytotoxic compounds, and complete removal of some simple phenolics (Zouari and Ellouz 1996;Benitez et al 1997). A combined bacterial-yeast system of Pseudomonas putida and Yarrowia lipolytica were used to degrade OMWW (De Felice et al 1997).…”

Olive Mill By-Products Management

“…In this way it is possible to obtain a not phytotoxic organic material, humus-like partially transformed, that could be used in fertilization plans to restore or maintain soil fertility on partial or total substitution of mineral fertilizers (Benitez et al, 1997;Filippi et al, 2002;Galli et al, 1997;Paredes et al, 2002;Tomati et al, 1995;Vallini et al, 2001).…”

“…The stabilization of WW through composting on effect with repeated saturation of supporting materials with suitable physical-mechanics characteristics (porosity, structure, texture) as straws, leaves, sawdust, rapiers, or pomace, to maintain a moisture level useful to the bioxidative reactions (Benitez et al, 1997;Garcia-Gomez et al, 2003;Paredes et al, 2000;Tomati et al, 1995;Vallini et al, 2001).…”