Development Of An Enzymatic Assay For The Determination Of Cellulose Bioavailability In Municipal Solid Waste

As there is a constant need to assess the biodegradation potential of refuse disposed of in landfills, we have developed a method to evaluate the biodegradability of cellulosic compounds (cellulose and hemicellulose) in municipal solid waste. This test is based on the quantification of monosaccharids released after the hydrolysis of solid waste samples with an optimised enzyme preparation containing commercially available cellulases and hemicellulases. We show that the amounts of monosaccharids could be related to the biodegradability of the cellulosic material contained in the samples. This enzymatic cellulose degradation test was assayed on 26 samples originating from two Belgian landfills and collected at different depths. As results correlated well with those obtained with a classical biochemical methane potential assay, this new and rapid test is sufficiently reliable to evaluate cellulose bioavailability in waste samples.Confinement de centres d'enfouissement technique à l'aide de barrières argileuse

Assessment of the anaerobic biodegradability of macropollutants

A variety of test procedures for determination of anaerobic biodegradability have been reported. This paper reviews the methods developed for determination of anaerobic biodegradability of macro-pollutants. Main focus is paid to the final mineralization of organic compounds and the methane potential of compounds. Hydrolysis of complex substrates is also discussed. Furthermore, factors important for anaerobic biodegradation are shortly discussed