CHARACTERIZATION OF EXTRACELLULAR POLYMERIC SUBSTANCES IN ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTACTORS AND ACTIVATED SLUDGE FLOCS

摘要

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from biofilms of a rotating biological contactor (RBC) system and from activated sludge flocs were extracted using ultrasound and a cation exchange resin. In both wastewater treatment systems, the EPS matrix was mainly constituted of proteins, humic-like substances and polysaccharides, although other components - DNA and uroni-like substances- were also present.