Isolation and application of a thermotolerant nitrifying bacterium Gordonia paraffinivorans N52 in sewage sludge composting for reducing nitrogen loss

A thermotolerant strain with heterotrophic nitrification capability obtained from sludge composting was identified as Gordonia paraffinivorans N52. Strain N52 utilized 51.8% of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) at 60 degrees C, and the nitrogen balance results indicated that 25.5% of the consumed NH4+-N was changed into nitrification intermediates, 53.0% to intracellular nitrogen, and only 5.2% was lost. The successful detection of enzymes related to nitrification and PCR amplification of functional genes further demonstrated nitrification ability of the isolated strain. Moreover, orthogonal test indicated that conditions for the optimal nitrification performance were C/N 15, 50 degrees C, 150 rpm and pH 8. Compared with the control group, the addition of Gordonia paraffinivorans N52 to sewage sludge composting reduced 27.6% of ammonia emissions, accelerated the conversion from NH4+-N to nitrate nitrogen and decreased the total nitrogen loss. These results suggested that inoculation of Gordonia paraffinivorans N52 effectively controlled ammonia emissions and reduced nitrogen loss in composting.

Automated summary

A thermotolerant strain identified as Gordonia paraffinivorans N52 was found to have heterotrophic nitrification capability. It demonstrated the ability to utilize ammonium nitrogen at high temperatures, while converting a significant portion into nitrification intermediates and intracellular nitrogen. The strain effectively controlled ammonia emissions and reduced nitrogen loss in composting, making it a promising inoculant.