Interactions of nitrogen and phosphorus on their uptake by mixed cultures in the biodegradation of acetic acid

A study was conducted on the interactions of nitrogen and phosphorus on their uptake by mixed cultures in the biodegradation of acetic acid. Ammonium sulfate and sodium hexametaphosphate were supplied as nutrient sources for nitrogen and phosphorus, with the N:P ratios varying throughout each experiment. The effect of these variations was observed in the final uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus, the biological growth, and the TbAC:C ratios. It was found that nitrogen is the significant controlling factor in both the uptake of nitrogen and possibly phosphorus by the culture. It was also found that cultures are able to assimulate other phosphorus sources other than ortho phosphates. A new approach for measuring biological growth by the use of the modified Beckman Carbonaceous Analyzer was investigated.