Background:
Deproteinized potato wastewater and glycerol are two by-products which are difficult to dispose.
The objective of this study was to determine the ability of
Rhodotorula glutinis
to use glycerol and nitrogen
compounds present in deproteinized potato wastewater and to evaluate the ability of simultaneous
biodegradation of potato wastewater and glycerol via microbiological methods.
Results:
It has been found that
R. glutinis used glycerol and potato wastewater as a source of carbon and nitrogen,
respectively. The highest degree of glycerol content (70.6%) reduction was found after cultivation of the
investigated strain using a medium with 5% glycerol. In this medium, a significant reduction in the total
protein content, estimated at 61%, was observed. The process of 72 h cultivation of yeast in a medium
containing potato wastewater and 5% glycerol reduced the chemical oxygen demand (COD) more than 77%.
Supplementation of media with high doses of glycerol (i.e. 20 and 25%) led to decreased metabolic activity in
the yeast strain tested.
Conclusion:
It has been found that there is a possibility of simultaneous biodegradation of potato wastewater and
glycerol during the cultivation of
R. glutinis.
