The research is concerned with utilization of nitrogen in the form of amino acids both singly and bound together in peptides and proteins. Such proteinaceous materials comprise the major nitrogen fraction in domestic sewage and, hence, studies on optimum conditions required for high rate biological utilization of proteins can be useful in the design of more efficient biological treatment facilities for the removal of nitrogen from waste waters. The study was concerned first with the utilization of individual amino acids as separate entities, then as components of di- and tri-peptides, and finally as components of keratins--a protein type very resistant to degradation. Auxiliary topics covered are: (a) modification of Burton's DNA test for use with the mixed cultures of activated sludge. (DNA was used as a measure of new cell production) (b) development of a graphical digital computer program for evaluating and presenting Warburg respirometer data and (c) development of a KWIC program for retrieval and storage of literature pertinent to the project.

"June 1965." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-114).