Betaine, also known as N,N,N-trimethyl glycine, is a soluble nitrogenous compound present at signi®cant concentrations in sugar-beet molasses. Molasses is used as substrate in a wide range of industrial fermentations, for example, alcohol, acid and yeast cell production. Betaine is not consumed to any signi®cant extent during these fermentations and appears to largely pass through the subsequent processing stages, becoming an important constituent of the wastewater produced by these industries. The present study con®rmed that betaine is present in large amounts in sugar-beet molasses (up to 6% w/w) and in the ef¯uent of processes using sugar-beet molasses as substrate (up to 4.5 g dm ). Betaine appeared to be almost completely degraded in the two full-scale anaerobic treatment plants sampled. This was con®rmed by anaerobic activity tests performed with both acclimated and unacclimated anaerobic sludge. The results obtained suggest the possible involvement of a multistep degradation process, with the likelihood of a nitrogen-containing intermediate. Finally, although not totally discountable, betaine degradation does not appear to be coupled to sulfate reduction during treatment of high-sulfate wastewaters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.