A novel co-metabolic mode with Spirulina powder in enhancing the anaerobic degradation of typical nitrogen heterocyclic compounds.

Spirulina powder emerged as a novel and suitable co-metabolism substance significantly enhancing the anaerobic degradation of specific nitrogen heterocyclic compounds. On the addition of 1.0 mg/L of Spirulina powder, the reactor demonstrated optimal degradation efficiency for quinoline and indole, achieving ratios of 99.77 ± 1.83% and 99.57 ± 1.98%, respectively. Moreover, the incorporation of Spirulina powder resulted in increased concentrations of mixed liquor suspended solids, mixed liquor volatile suspended solids, proteins, and polysaccharides in anaerobic sludge. In addition, Spirulina powder led to reduced levels of Acinetobacter and enriched Aminicenantes genera incertae sedis, Levilinea, and Longilinea. The analysis of the archaeal community structure confirmed that the addition of Spirulina powder increased archaeal sequences, fostering greater richness and diversity in the archaeal community.