The Possibility of Using Spent Coffee Grounds to Improve Wastewater Treatment Due to Respiration Activity of Microorganisms

Abstract

Spent coffee ground (SCG) may affect wastewater treatment processes due to high coffee consumption worldwide. The impact of the main chemical compounds present in SCG on respiration activity of sewage sludge was investigated. The results showed approximately two times higher respiration in the samples where various types of SCG were present in comparison with samples without SCG. During intense microbial metabolism, statistically significant (p < 0.05) decreases in caffeine, total polyphenols, and chlorogenic acid contents after processing and in filtrate was observed. The monitored compounds (caffeine, polyphenols, and chlorogenic acid) deteriorated due to their probable inclusion in microbiological metabolism. Increase in respiration activity of microorganisms in the presence of cheap waste material such as coffee grounds can help to improve wastewater treatment. The research was focused on spent coffee grounds’ impact on the respiratory activity of microorganisms in the activated sludge taken from small and large wastewater treatment plants. The impact was measured in more detail due to the inclusion of different coffee species (Robusta and Arabica) in diverse concentrations. The novelty of the study can also be seen through the literature overview, where information cannot be found about SCG influence on the respiration activity of microbial communities, and data on the possible SCG aerobic degradation or utilization by a sewage sludge bacterial consortium has also never been reported. The study has shown the possibility of improving wastewater treatment due to respiration activity of microorganisms in the presence of cheap waste material such as coffee grounds.