Sulfite altered permanganate effects on acetate-enriched short-chain fatty acids production during sludge anaerobic fermentation

Authors：Wu, Lijuan; Zhu, Rui; Han, Xiaoxia; Chen, Yan; Long, Zhen; Dong, Hao; Chen, Xiaojiang; Wu, Yang; Su, Yinglong; Zhang, Zhengyong^*; Luo, Jingyang

Source：Bioresource Technology, 2023, 371: 128589.

DOI：10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128589

• Hydrolysis
• Microbial structure
• Amino acid metabolism
• Metabolic networks
• Gene expression

Anaerobic fermentation is a promising method for waste activated sludge (WAS) treatment, but ineffective solubilization and hydrolysis limit its application. The current study examined the function of sodium sulfite (SDS) in potassium permanganate (PP)-conditioned WAS fermentation for short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) biosynthesis. The presence of SDS in the PP system (PP/SDS) reduced the positive effects of PP on total SCFAs yield (2755 versus 3471 mg COD/L), while effectively increasing the proportion of acetate (from 41 to 81 %). Not only did SDS decrease the promoting effects of PP on WAS solubilization and hydrolysis efficiency by 5-42 %, it also shifted microbial metabolic pathways to favor acetate production. In addition, the amino acid meta-bolism with acetate as end product was enhanced. Moreover, PP/SDS inhibited methanogenesis, resulting in an accumulation of acetate in high quantities. Thus, the current study a provided insight and direction for effective WAS treatment with acetate-enriched SCFAs production.

• Institution
  河海大学; 同济大学