Formulation and standardization of a microbial composition useful for reproducible BOD estimation

A number of microorganisms were isolated from sewage. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) analysis was carried out by using these isolated microorganism- s as a seed material with glucose-glutamic acid (GGA) as a reference standard. Based on the BOD values, a defined microbial composition was formulated by using these isolates. This formulated microbial compositi- on was standardized for reproducible BOD estimation by using four synthetic and four industrial samples. The results showed reproducibility of the BOD values within an acceptable limit. The BOD results are comparable with sewage which is used as a seed material in conventional BOD analysis. Storage stability studies of formulated microbial composition at different temperatures showed the maximum stability at 4°C. Such microbial compositio- n offers better opportunity to be used as a standard seed inoculum in the BOD test.