Anaerobic Degradation of Furfural by Defined Mixed Cultures

Abstract

The heteroaromatic compound furfural (2-furaldehyde) is a constituent of sulfite evaporator condensate (SEC) as seen in Table 1. SEC is a waste water from pulp and paper industry and arises in bulk quantities in paper mills that operate the acidic sulfite cooking process (Brune et al., 1982). Although acetic acid is the main compound (Table 1), furfural is the substance most toxic towards anaerobic bacteria (Morris et al, 1978; Folkerts et al., 1989).