RT Journal Article T1 Ciliate contributions to bioaggregation: laboratory assays with axenic cultures of Tetrahymena thermophila A1 Arregui García-Roves, Lucía A1 Serrano Barrero, Susana Lourdes A1 Linares Gómez, María A1 Pérez Uz, María Blanca A1 Guinea Díaz, Almudena AB Protists, mainly ciliates, play several essential roles in biological wastewater treatment, such as the transfer of matter and energy, bacterial predation, and the removal of organic material. Moreover, during the treatment process, the formation of bioaggregates—flocs and biofilms—is essential to obtaining high-quality effluents. In the present study, Tetrahymena thermophila was used as a model organism to demonstrate the contribution of ciliates to bioflocculation. Axenic cultures of this species were exposed to chemical and mechanical stimuli that promote bioaggregation. In either case, the secretion of a capsulate mucous material by the ciliates or by particle aggregation was detected. Numerous, small, loosely compacted flocs were observed under shaking conditions and in the presence of latex beads. The composition of the exopolymeric material secreted by ciliates was analyzed by a series of fluorochromes and colorimetric methods, which showed that carbohydrates and nucleic acids were the main components involved in matrix formation and particle adhesion. PB Springer SN 1139-6709 YR 2007 FD 2007 LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/95879 UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/95879 LA eng NO Serrano, Susana, y Maria Linares. «Ciliate Contributions to Bioaggregation: Laboratory Assays with Axenic Cultures of Tetrahymena Thermophila». International Microbiology, n.o 10, 2007, pp. 91-96. DOI.org (CSL JSON), https://doi.org/10.2436/20.1501.01.13. NO This work was supported by grant BOS2002-01042 from the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Spain NO Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (España) DS Docta Complutense RD 25 ago 2024