Abstract
The pH conditions were optimised for the biodegradation of pharmaceutical wastewater. Wastewater treatment in the presence and absence of
added nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorous was also checked at various pH levels. Different ratios of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) were
employed to optimise nutrient requirement. Almost all treatments resulted in 90 to 98% decrease in COD. The results of decrease of COD
with the passage of time were almost similar for both nutrient supplemented or non-supplemented samples. Thus there is no need of adding
nitrogen and phosphorous as nutrient supplement. The influence of acidic, basic, and neutral pH conditions on biodegradation was also
checked; acidic pH, which is the actual pH of the samples, was proved to be the best than at basic and neutral pH conditions. At basic pH
solubilization of COD occurs.
