3.3. Decolorization – removal of phenolic compoundsIn the flask trials the overall maximum decolorization achievedwas 28–60%. The overall maximum removal of phenolic com-pounds from the culture medium was lower as compared withthe respective decolorization, ranging between 12 and 26% (w/w)(Table 3). The overall maximum removal of color and phenolic com-pounds was achieved at the trial with initial phenolic compounds6.3 ± 0.5 g L−1(Table 3). In the bioreactor experiments, maximumdecolorization and maximum removal of phenolic compoundswere 54.4% (at TS0∼ 135 g L−1) and 27.6% w/w (at TS0∼ 100 g L−1;0.0 vvm) respectively. No color and phenol reduction was notedat reactor cultures with TS0∼ 200 g L−1(Table 4). Comparing flaskand bioreactor cultures, one can conclude that removal of color andreduction of total phenolics from the culture medium presentedsimilar kinetic profiles. The evolution of color and phenolic com-pounds removal from the culture medium is shown in Fig. 4a and b.