Microbial and functional characterization of granulated sludge from full-scale UASB thermophilic reactor applied to sugarcane vinasse treatment

Author(s)

Camargo, Franciele Pereira ; Sakamoto, Isabel Kimiko ; Delforno, Tiago Palladino ; Midoux, Cedric ; Silveira Duarte, Iolanda Cristina ; Silva, Edson Luiz ; Bize, Ariane ; Amancio Varesche, Maria Bernadete

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY; v. N/A, p. 20-pg., 2022-04-06.

Abstract

Considering the scarcity of data in the literature regarding phylogenetic and metabolic composition of different inocula, especially those from thermophilic conditions, this research aimed at characterizing the microbial community and preferable metabolic pathways of an UASB reactor sludge applied to the thermophilic treatment (55 degrees C) of sugarcane vinasse, by means of shotgun metagenomics. After its metabolic potential was depicted, it was possible to observe several genes encoding enzymes that are of great importance to anaerobic digestion processes with different wastes as substrate, especially regarding the biodegradation of carbohydrates and ligninolytic compounds, glycerolypids, volatile fatty acids and alcohols metabolism and biogas (H-2 and CH4) production. The genera identified in higher relative abundances for Bacteria domain were Sulfirimonas (37.52 +/- 1.8%), possibly related to the sludge endogenic activity due to its strong relation with a peptidoglycan lyase enzymes family, followed by Fluviicola (5.01 +/- 1.0%), Defluviitoga (4.36 +/- 0.2%), Coprothermobacter (4.32 +/- 0.5%), Fervidobacterium (2.93 +/- 0.3%), Marinospirillum (2.75 +/- 0.2%), Pseudomonas (2.14 +/- 0.2%) and Flavobacterium (1.78 +/- 0.1%), mostly related with carbohydrates fermentations and/or H-2 production. For Archaea domain, Methanosarcina (0.61 +/- 0.1%), Methanothermobacter (0.38 +/- 0.0%), Methanoculleus (0.30 +/- 0.1%), Thermococcus (0.03 +/- 0.0%), Methanolobus (0.02 +/- 1.8%), Methanobacterium (0.013 +/- 0.0%), Aciduliprofundum and Pyrococcus (0.01 +/- 0.0%) were the most dominant ones, being Methanosarcina the most related with methanogenesis. It was concluded that the robust inoculum description performed in this study may subside future biotechnological researches by using similar inocula (UASB sludges), focusing on the obtainment of value-added by-products by means of anaerobic digestion, such as volatile fatty acids, alcohols and biogas (H-2 and CH4), by using several types of waste as substrate. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06246-7 - Biorefinery concept applied to biological wastewater treatment plants: environmental pollution control coupled with material and energy recovery
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/26182-1 - Microbial characterization of a consortium involved in an optimized batch reactor applied to biohydrogen production from citrus peel waste as lignocellulosic substrate
• Grantee: Franciele Pereira Camargo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/01722-0 - Biogas obtainment and other compounds of biotechnological interest from citrus/orange processing residues
• Grantee: Franciele Pereira Camargo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate