Hydrolysis of wastewater colloidal organic matter by extracellular enzymes extracted from activated sludge flocs

Enzymatic activities associated with the exopolymeric substances (EPSs) extracted from activated sludges were tested for their ability to hydrolyse the organic colloidal fraction of wastewater. Bacteria extracted with EPS and concentrated by wastewater microfiltration were inhibited with NaN₃ or KCN. The protein hydrolysis mainly resulted from the enzymatic activity of EPS, whereas the glycolytic activity was mainly present in the organic colloidal fraction of the wastewater.