Removal of Ammonium and 4-Methylphenol from Synthetic Wastewater by Cell-Free Extracts of Nitrifying Sludge

The feasibility of using cell-free extracts of nitrifying sludge to treat synthetic wastewater containing 4-methylphenol and ammonium was examined. Nitrifying cells were broken by sonication and encapsulated into calcium alginate. Cell-free extracts (CFE) of nitrifying sludge oxidized 4-methylphenol threefold faster than whole-cells, but CFE were not able to oxidize ammonium. The CFE encapsulated into calcium alginate (CFEA) displayed partial nitrification and 4-methylphenol oxidation. Five hours was enough to oxidize 100 % of ammonium and 4-methylphenol, at volumetric rates of 20.80 mg N/L h and 42.86 mg C/L h, respectively. It is inferred that an interaction between the CFE and calcium alginate resulted in the protection of the enzymes.