The Effect of an Enzymatic Slime Control Agent MX-1361 on Activated Sludge Treatment Plants

Slime control in the paper mill is a major operational problem and expense facing paper companies. At present, slimes are controlled with synthetic organic chemicals, many of which contain heavy metals or are highly halogenated and are currently the focus of regulatory scrutiny...An enzyme preparation MX-1361 has been developed to:"control" slimes in pulp and paper mills. The mode of action of the enzyme is,to cleave carbohydrate bonds in the bacterial slime,, thereby dissipating it. There is a concern, however,.that the enzyme might create problems either by deflocculating the bacterial flocs in the waste treatment plant or by exerting toxicity in the biologically treated effluent.. The conclusions of this study were: 1. The concentration of BOD and suspended solids in the treated effluent and the settling properties-of the activated sludge are not affected by the addition of the enzyme. 2. No acute toxicity, as measured with Daphnia, was found in the treated effluents. This enzyme preparation appears to have no effect on the operation or effluent characteristics of activated sludge systems. Apparently, the enzyme has been biologically oxidized because- 2-tests specific for the enzyme showed no enzyme in the treated effluent