Thermophilic microbiological treatment of high strength wastewaters with simultaneous recovery of single cell protein.

Simultaneous removal of organic materials and recovery of protein in the form of bacterial cells from a simulated high strength biodegradable wastewater was studied using thermophilic aerobic microorganisms. A naturally occurring mixed culture of thermophilic microorganisms was obtained from soil, wastewater, hay, silage, etc. A chemically defined medium containing glucose along with other essential nutrients was employed as the feed. The kinetic behavior of the culture was studied in a continuous culture at an optimum temperature of 58 degrees C. Studies were were also performed on the effects of solids retention time (SRT) on the observed cell yield and the protein and ash content of the harvested biomass. An economic analysis of the process for single cell protein recovery was given.