ABSTRACTEffects of temperature, pH and retention time on the biodegradation of tomato waste were studied in a continuous tank‐type system. The data indicated that under the experimental conditions used there was a two‐component substrate complex in the tomato waste. The first comprised approximately two‐thirds of the total waste load and was optimally degraded at 40°C in about 4 hr. The second substrate complex contributed about 20 of the waste load and was optimally degraded at 35°C. The remaining portion was not degraded during the 12‐hr retention time investigated. It was also shown that maintaining an optimal pH 7 by monitoring and adjusting only the influent resulted in an excessive basic condition. The use of controlled reactor tanks in a sequential degradation system or in conjunction with present day treatment systems is
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