Synergistic effect of yeast integrated with alkyl polyglucose for short-chain fatty acids production from sludge anaerobic fermentation

An efficient strategy for short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production from sludge anaerobic fermentation was proposed with the combination of yeast and alkyl polyglucose (APG). It revealed that the synergetic effect of yeast and APG could boost the SCFA concentration to the maximum value of 2800.34 mg COD/L within 9 days at 0.20 g/g suspended solids (SS) yeast and 0.20 g/g SS APG, which was significantly higher than that of its counterparts. Interestingly, the sludge solubilization, the biodegradability of fermentation substrate, as well as the acidification of hydrolyzed products, was evidently improved in the coexistence of APG and yeast. The ac-tivities of hydrolytic enzymes and acetate kinase were also stimulated, whereas the coenzyme F420 was inhibited. The synergetic effect of yeast and APG used in this work enriches the study of carbon resource recovery from sludge anaerobic fermentation.

Automated summary

An efficient strategy for producing short-chain fatty acids was proposed using a combination of yeast and alkyl polyglucose. The synergistic effect of yeast and APG improved the solubilization, biodegradability, and acidification of the fermentation process, leading to higher SCFA concentrations.