Employment of Aspergillus niger AN 400 in batch reactors to remove pesticide aqueous matrix

ABSTRACT This research proposes the use of the fungus Aspergillus niger AN 400 in treating aqueous matrix containing methyl parathion in batch reactors. The research was divided into two steps. In Step I, were mounted control reactors (RC) containing only methyl parathion in aqueous matrix; reactors with fungus (RF) containing methyl parathion and suspension of fungus spores; and reactors with fungus and ethanol (RFE) containing methyl parathion, the suspension of fungus spores and ethanol. Each reaction time (TR), one RC, one RF and one RFE were put out of operation. The reaction times were studied in 30 days. In Step II, operated a reactor with immobilized biomass (RBI) with methyl parathion and ethanol, making up 5 cycles each lasting one week. As a result, in Step I, it was found that the pH varied from 5 to 8. The final removal of 61% (RF) and 89% (RFE) of COD; 67% (RF) and 52% (RFE) of ammonia nitrogen; 34% (RF) and 45% (RFE) nitrate; 2% (RF) and 15% (RFE) of total phosphorus. In Step II, the pH ranged from 3 to 8 and the average final removal were 94% of filtered COD, 88% gross COD, 19% of ammonia nitrogen, 96% nitrate, 12% of total phosphorus and 95% of methyl parathion with immobilized biomass and 73% with disperse biomass. The results showed that the use of the fungus Aspergillus niger AN 400 can be an alternative for treating wastewater containing methyl parathion.