INITIATING BIODEGRADATION OF POLYVINYLPYRROLIDONE IN AN AQUEOUS AEROBIC ENVIRONMENT: TECHNICAL NOTE

Julinova, M; Kupec, Jan; Slavik, R; Vaskova, M

HERO ID

3578100

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2013

HERO ID 3578100
In Press No
Year 2013
Title INITIATING BIODEGRADATION OF POLYVINYLPYRROLIDONE IN AN AQUEOUS AEROBIC ENVIRONMENT: TECHNICAL NOTE
Authors Julinova, M; Kupec, Jan; Slavik, R; Vaskova, M
Volume 20
Issue 1
Page Numbers 199-208
Abstract A synthetic polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP - E 1201) primarily finds applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries due to its resistance and zero toxicity to organisms. After ingestion, the substance passes through the organism unchanged. Consequently, it enters the systems of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) without decomposing biologically during the waste treatment process, nor does it attach (through sorption) to particles of activated sludge to any significant extent, therefore, it passes through the system of a WWTP, which may cause the substance to accumulate in the natural environment. For this reason the paper investigates the potential to initiate aerobic biodegradation of PVP in the presence of activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The following agents were selected as the initiators of the biodegradation process - co-substrates: acrylamide, N-acethylphenylalanine and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, a substance with a similar structure to PVP monomer. The biodegradability of PVP in the presence of co-substrates was evaluated on the basis of biological oxygen demand (BOD) as determined via a MicroOxymax O-2/CO2/CH4 respirometer. The total substrate concentration in the suspension equaled 400 mg.dm(-3), with the ratio between PVP and the co-substrate being 1:1, while the concentration of the dry activated sludge was 500 mg.dm(-3). Even though there was no occurrence of a significant increase in the biodegradation of PVP alone in the presence of a co-substrate, acrylamide appeared to be the most effective type of co-substrate. Nevertheless, a recorded decrease in the slope of biodegradation curves over time may indicate that a process of primary decomposition was underway, which involves the production of metabolites that inhibit activated sludge microorganisms. The resulting products are not identified at this stage of experimentation.
Doi 10.2478/eces-2013-0015
Wosid WOS:000318397700015
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Journal:ECOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY AND ENGINEERING S-CHEMIA I INZYNIERIA EKOLOGICZNA S 1898-6196
Is Public Yes
Keyword polyvinylpyrrolidone; biodegradation; activated sludge; aqueous environment