Fixed carrier for microorganisms, esp. for water purificn. - comprises straight, rigid threads, e.g. of nylon, around central axis, with good resistance to blockage, also new denitrifying Pseudomonas strain

摘要

Fixed carrier for culturing microorganisms comprises straight, rigid threads, non-woven and not entangled, arranged around a central axis. Also new are: (1) bioreactor elements contg. at least one such carrier on which microorganisms are fixed; (2) bioreactors contg. such carriers or elements; and (3) the Pseudomonas strain CNCM I-1268. Pref. the carrier has a three-dimensional structure with the threads arranged in converging fashion about the axis. The threads are esp. of nylon or silk, have dia. 0.05-5 mm and are present at 10-1000 per cm height of the shaft. USE/ADVANTAGE - The microorganism loaded carrier is used to treat liquids contg. materials susceptible to microbial decompsn., esp. to convert nitrate in water to N2. It can also be used to produce microbial metabolites, partic. antibiotics, vaccines or enzymes. This carrier has a large surface area, good resistance to wear and degradation and (being made of individual threads) becomes clogged less rapidly than conventional materials, making it nearly maintenance free (partic. frequent washes are not required). Its high porosity facilitates alternation of aeration/water treatment stages and it can be disinfected with NaOCl before reinoculation. The new Pseudomonas strain can denitrify water in presence of EtOH, is effective at 12 deg.C and generates N2 gas without significant accumulation of N2O or nitrite.