Biochemical changes during anaerobic digestion of tomato processing waste.

Studies on biochemical changes during anaerobic degradation of tomato
processing waste (TPW) were carried out both in batch and semicontinuous
modes of digestion. Around 65% of hemicellulose and 50% of cellulose
components of TP W were degraded in both processes. Although 70% of protein
was degraded in the batch process only 3.5% was degraded in the semicontinuous
process. In contrast, lipid was degraded to a greater extent in the semicontinuous
process than in the batch process. These data suggest that lipid degradation
occurred through biohydrogenation arid/3--�oxidation mechanisms in both
processes. The kinetics of degradation of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and
their further conversion to volatile fatty acids and methane in both processes are
discussed.