Microbial metabolism

 Understanding of biochemical activities of microorganisms is the basis for design

and selection of biological treatment process
 Carbon, energy and some inorganic elements are required for the synthesis of
new cellular materials, reproduction and proper functions of microorganisms
 Carbon and energy sources are referred to as Substrates
 Carbon Sources: Obtain carbon for cell growth from Organic matter or Carbon
dioxide.
Heterotrophs: Organisms that use organic carbon for the formation of new
biomass.
Autotrophs: Organisms that derive cell carbon from carbon dioxide.
 Energy Sources: Energy needed for cell synthesis is supplied light of chemical
oxidation reaction.
Phototrophs: Organisms that use light as energy source.
Chemotrophs: organisms that derive energy from chemical reaction.
Microbial metabolism
 Energy producing chemical reaction by chemotrophs are oxidation-
reduction reactions.
 Electrons are transferred from an electron donor to an electron acceptor.
Electron donor is oxidized and the electron acceptor is reduced
 Electron donors and acceptors can be either organic or inorganic
compounds
 The electron acceptor may be available within the cell during
metabolism (endogenous) or obtained from outside the cell
(exogenous).
 Aerobic: the reaction where oxygen is used for the electron acceptor
 Anaerobic: the reaction where other electron acceptors other than
oxygen are involved.
 Anoxic: reaction where nitrite or nitrate are used for electron acceptors
under anaerobic conditions