Removal of phosphorus from wastewater by Diutina rugosa BL3: Efficiency and pathway

A novel phosphorus removal yeast BL3 was isolated from an alternating anaerobic/aerobic biofilter and identified as Diutina rugosa by 26S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Yeast BL3 could effectively remove phosphorus from synthetic wastewater containing 2–20 mg/L phosphorus under optimal environmental conditions. The highest phosphorus removal efficiency was above 70% under the conditions of DO 6.86 mg/L, C/P ratios of 60, N/P ratios of 3.3, pH 6.0–9.0, and at 25.0–35.0 °C. The phosphorus distribution in the aqueous solution and different components of yeast BL3 analysis indicated that around 55%–70% and 20%–40% of removed phosphorus were transferred into extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and yeast cells, respectively. The plausible phosphorus transfer pathway was proposed based on the phosphorus distribution and species analysis, suggesting the important role of EPS as a phosphorus reservoir. These results indicate that yeast BL3 can efficiently remove phosphorus under aerobic conditions without alternating anaerobic/aerobic cycling, and thus has significant potential for practical application in wastewater phosphorus removal. [Display omitted] •A novel phosphorus removal yeast BL3 was isolated and identified.•A plausible phosphorus transfer pathway was proposed.•EPS was a major phosphorus reservoir.•BL3 had outstanding tolerance to phosphorus concentration, temperature and pH.