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Article

Evaluation and Verification of Starch Decomposition by Microbial Hydrolytic Enzymes

1
Department of Environment Science, Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa 252-0880, Kanagawa, Japan
2
NPO Ecology Archiscape, Tokyo 171-0021, Japan
3
Department of Marine Science, Graduate School of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa 252-0880, Kanagawa, Japan
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Water 2025, 17(15), 2354; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152354 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 26 June 2025 / Revised: 21 July 2025 / Accepted: 25 July 2025 / Published: 7 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment and Nutrient Removal)

Abstract

This study investigates the Enzyme Biofilm Method (EBM), a biological wastewater treatment technology previously developed by the authors. EBM employs microbial-derived hydrolytic enzyme groups in the initial treatment stage to break down high-molecular-weight organic matter—such as starch, proteins, and fats—into low-molecular-weight compounds. These compounds enhance the growth of native microorganisms, promoting biofilm formation on carriers and improving treatment efficiency. Over the past decade, EBM has been practically applied in food factory wastewater facilities handling high organic loads. The enzyme groups used in EBM are derived from cultures of Bacillus mojavensis, Saccharomyces cariocanus, and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. To clarify the system’s mechanism and ensure its practical viability, this study focused on starch—a prevalent and recalcitrant component of food wastewater—using two evaluation approaches. Verification 1: Field testing at a starch factory showed that adding enzyme groups to the equalization tank effectively reduced biological oxygen demand (BOD) through starch degradation. Verification 2: Laboratory experiments confirmed that the enzyme groups possess both amylase and maltase activities, sequentially breaking down starch into glucose. The resulting glucose supports microbial growth, facilitating biofilm formation and BOD reduction. These findings confirm EBM’s potential as a sustainable and effective solution for treating high-strength food industry wastewater.
Keywords: Enzyme Biofilm Method (EBM); microbial hydrolytic enzyme group; starch; amylase; maltase Enzyme Biofilm Method (EBM); microbial hydrolytic enzyme group; starch; amylase; maltase

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Takaya, M.; Uchigasaki, M.; Itonaga, K.; Ara, K. Evaluation and Verification of Starch Decomposition by Microbial Hydrolytic Enzymes. Water 2025, 17, 2354. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152354

AMA Style

Takaya M, Uchigasaki M, Itonaga K, Ara K. Evaluation and Verification of Starch Decomposition by Microbial Hydrolytic Enzymes. Water. 2025; 17(15):2354. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152354

Chicago/Turabian Style

Takaya, Makoto, Manzo Uchigasaki, Koji Itonaga, and Koichi Ara. 2025. "Evaluation and Verification of Starch Decomposition by Microbial Hydrolytic Enzymes" Water 17, no. 15: 2354. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152354

APA Style

Takaya, M., Uchigasaki, M., Itonaga, K., & Ara, K. (2025). Evaluation and Verification of Starch Decomposition by Microbial Hydrolytic Enzymes. Water, 17(15), 2354. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152354

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