Extraction of Exopolymeric substances from activated sludge

Abstract

The extraction of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from activated sludge was investigated by using two different reactors. Presence of pesticides in one of the reactor affect the EPS extracted. The extraction procedure was based on chemical method by using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and formaldehyde. The extracted amount of EPS strongly related to the protein concentration. Spectrophotometer was used to determine the protein concentration. Measurements for the cell number, biomass concentration and pH reading are considered important in determining the existence of the EPS. Lowry Method for analyzing the protein was implemented and found suitable for determination of the protein. The result showed the EPS was increased by the increasing of the microorganism inside activated sludge but decreased in the presence of pesticides. But, the reading of protein concentration is higher with the presence of pesticides.