biosurfactant effect observed would be the metabolic uncoupling.
The effect of a bioproduct based on chemical surfactants and stress
proteins on the sludge reduction was assessed [7], reaching up to
46% reduction in sludge disposal. Although Podella et al. [26] point
out stress proteins as primarily responsible for metabolic
uncoupling, the similarity between the results suggests that
(bio) surfactants may also act as uncoupling agents. Since there are
organic matter consumption and energy deficit, or metabolic
uncoupling, the production of extracellular polymeric substances
(EPS) is minimized [27], thus contributing to improved sludge
sedimentation. The same study (data not shown) showed lower
EPS concentration in the sludge of the Test reactor and higher
concentration in the Control reactor, which also showed higher SVI
value