The separation of the insoluble solids from wastewater of sweet potato shochu distillation is difficult because of the high viscosity of the wastewater. To improve the separation, we screened for microorganisms that accelerated the aggregation of the insoluble solids of shochu waste. Such a strain, M111, was isolated from soil and identified as a Geotrichum sp. from its morphological and physiological characteristics. When cells of M111 were added to shochu waste at final cell density of 1×10
7 cells/ml and the mixture was stirred gently, the solids immediately aggregated. Separation of the resultant waste was easier than without such treatment. M111 cells adhered to the insoluble solids of shochu waste, connecting neighboring particles. M111 cells adhered not only shochu waste but also Avicel, pulp wastewater, cellulose powder, filter cellulose, tomato juice solids, kaolinite, talcum powder, and active charcoal. When the surface of M111 cells was treated with sodium dodecyl sulfate or Proteinase K, the ability to accelerate the aggregation of shochu waste and cellulose fiber was lowered. This finding suggested that protein on the surface of M111 cells took part in the aggregation.
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