M.N. Nsoe, E.V. Amba, N.M. Kameni, G.P. Kofa, K.S. Ndi, M. Heran and G.J. Kayem

DOI:https://doi.org/10.15379/2410-1869.2023.10.01.05

Despite the many services that natural rubber provides to humanity, its production generates significant quantities of polluted effluents which have a negative impact on health and the environment. In order to reduce this pollution and allow water to be reused after treatment, a synthetic effluent treatment trial was carried out in a submerged membrane bioreactor in the presence of two strains of yeast (Yarrowia lipolytica, Pichia guilliermondii) and biodegradation parameters (COD, NH₄⁺, NO₂^-, NO₃^-) were followed. The Mohlman Index (MI), the particle size distribution, the Lowry method for proteins and the Dubois method for sugars have made it possible to characterize the sludge generated during biodegradation. It appears from these experiments that the reduction rate of COD was 98% and that of nitrification and denitrification 90%. There is a decreasing linear relationship between the MI and SS (Suspended Solids) with an R² of 95%. The distribution of the particle size of the sludge is tri-modal with a maximum of sludge having an average size of 1000 µm. The sludge formed resists filtration with a polysaccharide/protein ratio of 0.45.

Biodegradation, Membrane bioreactor, Pichia guilliermondii, Rubber effluent, Yarrowia lipolytica.