Investigation of the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Refractory Organic Acids. DFG - SPP "Refraktäre organische Säuren im Gewässer"
(ROS II)

Refractory organic substances (ROS) in aqueous samples from different origin are treated with hydrochlorid acid, sodium hydroxide and with enzymes.to release bound biomolecules like amino acids, carbohydrates and organic acids. In the hydrolysates seventeen amino acids could be detected after precolumn derivatization and HPLC separation. Furthermore pentoses, hexoses, desoxy- and aminocarbohydrates are identified using a HPAE-PAD system (High Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection). Organic acids also are determined ionchromatographically. The amount and the pattern of the detected substances were used for source studies and for the determination of the biological degradation. So far it can be concluded that the effluent of the sewage treatment plant showed a strong microbial influence, whereas the ROS from the soil extract, bog lake water and ground water reflected a higher amount of plant derived matter.