WHAT IS MICROTHRIX PARVICELLA

Microthrix parvicella is one of the filamentous bacteria that is known to create problems in the operation of activated sludge plants. Its physiology has already been investigated, although primarily in the context of its being a bulking species. It is now recognized that it is one of the major foam-forming organisms and, as such, needs further study. The initial isolation of M. parvicella did not prove to be as easy as would be expected from the earlier work and, eventually, micromanipulation was required. Growth studies showed that it exhibited several morphological forms, only one of which was that described previously. This has led to doubts about the classification of this species which does not yet have a clearly defined bacteriological designation.