Want to Unlock Faster Results in Your Biodegradation Studies?
In home composting, mesophilic bacteria operate at lower temperatures, breaking down materials such as food scraps and yard trimmings.
- Environment: This process usually occurs in a home compost heap or container, a less regulated and open environment.
- Microorganisms: Mesophilic bacteria are the primary agents of decomposition, working at typical atmospheric temperatures.
- Process: Users add organic materials like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and yard trimmings to the compost pile, providing a mix of nitrogen- and carbon-rich materials.
- Outcome: Over time, these materials decompose into a valuable soil amendment called compost, though this process is slower than in industrial settings.
Micro-Oxymax Testing: The Micro-Oxymax is an ultra-sensitive respirometer that measures the key difference between home and industrial compost, which lies in the temperature and duration of the test, simulating the different conditions of each environment.
- Conditions: The test is performed at ambient, mesophilic temperatures, typically around 25°C. This reflects the generally lower temperatures and slower microbial activity found in backyard compost bins.
- Standard Methods: Certifications for home compostability are more challenging to obtain, with testing standards that reflect the longer decomposition time.
- Criteria: For certification, a material must reach 90% biodegradation within one year at 28°C.
In contrast, industrial composting provides controlled, higher temperatures and oxygen levels that accelerate biodegradation, allowing thermophilic bacteria and other microbes to process organic waste and certified compostable products more quickly and efficiently.
- Environment: Industrial composting facilities are actively managed environments designed to optimize the biodegradation process.
- Microorganisms: The higher temperatures, from both the actively managed process and the thermophilic bacteria that thrive at these high temperatures, accelerate decomposition.
- Process: Materials are often processed in windrows, with large turners ensuring proper aeration and moisture levels.
- Outcome: Certified compostable products and other organic materials break down more quickly (e.g., within 180 days) and completely into stable organic matter, releasing heat, water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, with no harmful residues left behind.
Micro-Oxymax Testing: The Micro-Oxymax is an ultra-sensitive respirometer that measures the key difference between home and industrial compost, which lies in the temperature and duration of the test, simulating the different conditions of each environment.
- Conditions: The test is conducted under thermophilic conditions, typically at temperatures around 58°C, mimicking large-scale, professionally managed compost facilities. The Micro-Oxymax can be configured with special temperature and air-flow controllers (Oxymax-C) to maintain these precise conditions.
- Standard Methods: Biodegradation tests often follow standard methods like ASTM D5338 and ISO 14855-1.
- Criteria: For certification, a biodegradable material must achieve 90% biodegradation within a period of 6 months.
Key Differences Summary
- Temperature: Home composting involves lower, ambient temperatures, while industrial composting utilizes higher, regulated temperatures.
- Speed: Biodegradation is significantly faster in industrial settings due to the optimized conditions and higher temperatures.
- Regulation: Home composting is a slow-stack, user-directed process, whereas industrial composting is a regulated process designed for high efficiency and certified materials.
Biodegradation of materials in landfills is slow because landfills are typically anaerobic (oxygen-free), which inhibits the breakdown of many materials. While some organic matter does break down, producing methane (a greenhouse gas) and carbon dioxide.
Micro-Oxymax Testing: The Micro-Oxymax measures CO₂ production and O₂ consumption, which helps determine the biodegradability of materials in landfill-like conditions by quantifying the activity of microorganisms. Studies simulating aerobic and anaerobic landfill environments monitor the degradation process by tracking gas exchange in closed-loop systems. By providing highly accurate, real-time data on gas concentrations, the Micro-Oxymax is ideal for understanding biodegradation kinetics and the microbial communities involved in breaking down materials within a landfill.
- Measurement Principle: The Micro-Oxymax measures the exchange of gases, specifically carbon dioxide (CO₂) and oxygen (O₂), to quantify biological activity.
- Microbial Activity: It detects the conversion of organic matter into CO₂ and the consumption of O₂ during aerobic respiration by microorganisms.
- Closed-Loop System: The system employs a closed-loop measurement technique to isolate gas exchange from background noise, ensuring precise measurements.
- High Sensitivity: It offers industry-leading sensitivity, capable of detecting very low levels of CO₂, which is crucial for accurate real-time data on biodegradation.
- Automation: It provides automated, turnkey operation, allowing for continuous monitoring and data collection over extended periods, typically ranging from one to two months.
Application in Landfill Biodegradation Testing
- Simulated Landfill Conditions: The Micro-Oxymax can be used in lab-scale models to simulate the complex aerobic and anaerobic conditions found in landfills.
- Biodegradability of Plastics: This assessment method evaluates the biodegradability of materials, particularly plastics, by measuring their conversion into biogas (comprising CO₂ and methane).
- Identifying Microbial Communities: By understanding the gas exchange, researchers can also gain insights into the microbial communities present and their role in the degradation process.
- Environmental Monitoring: The data gathered from the Micro-Oxymax helps predict gas reactions and optimize the design of landfill aeration systems.
- Real-time Data: It provides real-time, highly accurate gas concentration data, which is crucial for monitoring biodegradation processes in real-time.
When organic matter and certain plastics are broken down by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, the rate and extent of degradation vary significantly depending on the material, environmental factors (including temperature, depth, and available oxygen), and the specific microbial communities present. While naturally occurring organic materials generally biodegrade within days to years, many conventional plastics, including some "compostable" types like PLA, persist in marine environments for decades or centuries, fragmenting into microplastics rather than fully mineralizing. Research is ongoing to develop and certify truly marine-biodegradable plastics that meet stringent standards for complete mineralization within a specified timeframe, without leaving toxic residues.
Micro-Oxymax Testing: By precisely measuring oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production in a sealed environment, the Micro-Oxymax provides researchers with data to assess the rate and extent of material breakdown by microorganisms. This respirometer is specifically designed to detect the low gas exchange rates associated with the breakdown of organic compounds and plastics in seawater, enabling research that evaluates the biodegradability of materials and assesses the effectiveness of bioremediation efforts.
- Closed-Loop System: The Micro-Oxymax operates as a closed-loop system, monitoring gas exchange within a sealed container (a microcosm) that contains the test material and marine microorganisms.
- Gas Measurement: The system continuously measures the concentration of gases, such as oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), within the microcosm's headspace.
- Sensitivity: It is an ultra-sensitive instrument, capable of detecting gas concentration changes as low as 0.2 µL per hour. This allows for the accurate measurement of the low biological activity characteristic of marine biodegradation processes.
- Data Calculation: By measuring gas changes over time, the system calculates the rates of gas consumption and production, which can then be used to determine the overall rate of material degradation and calculate Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD).
- Standardized Testing: The Micro-Oxymax supports standard protocols for testing biodegradability in seawater, such as those developed by the ASTM.
- Applications: It helps researchers evaluate the biodegradability of various materials, monitor the effectiveness of bioremediation techniques following spills (like the Exxon Valdez oil spill), and study the role of microbial communities in breaking down pollutants in marine environments.
A biological treatment process that primarily utilizes microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, to metabolizeBiodegradation in soil is the natural process where microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, break down organic materials into simpler substances like carbon dioxide, water, and microbial biomass (humus), which helps fertilize the soil. The rate of this process depends on factors like temperature, humidity, oxygen levels, and the type of organic material present.
Micro-Oxymax Testing: By measuring the aerobic respiration of microorganisms using soil samples in flasks, this respirometer precisely monitors the consumption of oxygen and the production of carbon dioxide, which are direct indicators of microbial activity and the rate of biodegradation.
- Sample Preparation: Soil is mixed with the test material (the substance to be biodegraded). A control sample containing only soil is prepared to measure the natural background respiration. For standardization, the test often follows a method such as ISO 17556 or ASTM D5988.
- Sealed Flasks: The soil and test substance mixture is placed in a closed-circuit glass chamber connected to the Micro-Oxymax system. The sealed environment ensures that all gas exchanges are confined and can be measured.
- Automated Measurement: The Micro-Oxymax utilizes a central pumping and analysis system to sequentially draw gas samples from the headspace of each flask. This closed-loop system sends the gas through sensors before returning it to the flask.
- Oxygen (O₂) Sensor: An electrochemical or paramagnetic sensor measures the decrease in oxygen concentration as microorganisms consume it during the breakdown of the test material.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Sensor: An infrared (IR) sensor measures the increase in carbon dioxide concentration, the main byproduct of aerobic respiration.
- Data Collection: A computer connected to the system records real-time gas concentration data from each flask. The system automatically accounts for temperature and pressure changes to ensure accuracy.
- Calculations: CI-Link software uses the gas concentration data, the measured headspace volume (using Boyle's Law), and the time interval to calculate the respiration rate.
- Biodegradation Assessment: The net CO₂ production (total CO₂ minus the control's background CO₂) is used to calculate the percentage of the test material's total carbon that has been converted to gaseous CO₂. This provides a precise measure of the extent and rate of biodegradation.
A biological treatment process that primarily utilizes microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, to metabolize organic waste in the wastewater. This metabolic activity, or respiration, consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide. By measuring the gases exchanged, the Micro-Oxymax quantifies the activity and effectiveness of the microorganisms in degrading the organic material.
Micro-Oxymax Testing: The Micro-Oxymax monitors the biodegradation process in various environments, including activated sludge, by using respirometry to quantify the oxygen consumed or carbon dioxide produced by microorganisms breaking down organic matter.
- System Setup: The Micro-Oxymax system is modular, allowing for configurations with multiple sealed test chambers, which can be connected to gas sensors.
- Sample Preparation: The test substance (e.g., a chemical or polymer) is added to a test flask containing a wastewater inoculum, such as activated sludge, which supplies the necessary microorganisms. Control flasks are also prepared with a biodegradable reference substance (like sodium acetate) to ensure the viability of the microorganisms.
- Gas Measurement: The flasks are sealed, and sensors are used to measure the changes in gas pressure within each chamber.
- Oxygen Uptake: The Micro-Oxymax system detects a decrease in oxygen levels as the microorganisms respire and break down the organic matter.
- Carbon Dioxide Evolution: The system measures the increase in carbon dioxide produced by the microorganisms as a byproduct of their metabolic activity.
- Data Collection and Analysis: CI-Link software automates the calibration and monitoring process by recording gas exchange data and accounting for variations in pressure and temperature to determine the rate and extent of biodegradation over a specific time period.
- Data Interpretation: The total amount of oxygen consumed (Biochemical Oxygen Demand, or BOD) or CO2 produced is calculated. These results are compared against the theoretical oxygen or carbon dioxide requirement of the test substance. A high percentage of biodegradation compared to the theoretical maximum indicates that the substance is readily biodegradable.
It supports both aerobic and anaerobic studies, covering applications from biodegradability testing to large-scale bioremediation.
With intuitive software, expert support, and regulatory-ready data, it helps labs achieve reliable results while streamlining workflows.
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Key Features
Standards and Supported Gases
- ISO 14851
- ISO 14852: Plastics in Aqueous Medium
- ISO 14855
- ISO 15985: Digestion
- EN 13432: Plastics in Compost
- ASTM D5209: Plastics in Sewage Sludge
- ASTM D5210: Plastics in Sewage Sludge
- ASTM D5271
- ASTM D5511: Plastics under High Solids
- ASTM D5338: Plastics in Controlled Compost
- ASTM D5988: Plastics in Soil
- ASTM D6691: Plastic Materials in Marine Environment
- OECD 301B: Biodegradability of the material over a minimum of 28 days in a liquid environment
- OECD 301C
- OECD 301F
- High Sensitivity: 2x10-7 liter of gas per hour
- O2: 0-1%, 19-21%, 0-100%
- CO2: 0-1%, 0-3%, 0-10%, 0-100%
- CH4: 0-1%, 0-5%, 0-10%, 0-30%, 0-100%
- CO: 0-1%, 0-10%H2: 0-2000ppm
- H2S: 200ppm
- NO2: 150ppm
- N2O: Contact us for available ranges
- Multiple Chamber Sensing: 1 to 80 Chambers
- Fully automated operation
- Maximum Head Space Volume: 50mL to 10L m), H2 (0-2000 and 0-10,000ppm)
Physical Dimensions:
- Sample Pump and Sensors: 13” x 11.5” x 12” (33 x 29 x 30 cm)
- Controller: 17” x 17” x 7” (43 x 43 x 18 cm)
- CO2/CH4/H2S Sensor: 13” x 11.5” x 4” (33 x 29 x 19 cm)
- Paramagnetic O2 Sensor: 13” x 11.5” x 7.5” (33 x 29 x 19 cm)
- Expansion Interface: 13” x 11.5” x 7.5” (33 x 29 x 19 cm)
Weight:
- Sample Pump and Sensors: 20 lbs (9 kg)
- Expansion Interface: 15 lbs (6.8 kg)
- CO2/CH4/H2S Sensor: 6 lbs (2.7 kg)
- Paramagnetic O2 Sensor: 6 lbs (2.7 kg)
- Electrochemical O2 Sensor: 12 lbs (5.5 kg)
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
The Micro-Oxymax is an ultra-sensitive respirometer designed for precise measurement of gas exchange (O₂, CO₂, CH₄, etc.) in solid or liquid samples. It's modular and flexible. Use for both aerobic and anaerobic studies in bioremediation and biodegradation (home and industrial compost, landfill, marine water, soil, and wastewater). In addition to other respirometry application fields, such as biomethane potential (BMP), insect respiration, bioleaching, and fermentation.
Most ISO and ASTM standards call for running samples in triplicate (3 blanks + 3 controls + 3× number of samples). Some labs prefer quintuplicates for greater statistical accuracy (5 blanks + 5 controls + 5× number of samples). Our team can help you determine the size of your system based on your throughput requirements.
Available gas channels include CO₂, O₂, CH₄, CO, H₂, H₂S, NO, NO₂, and N₂O.
Yes, the Micro-Oxymax is fully modular. You can add more chambers (up to 80) and additional gas sensors at any time.
The system requires a PC (Windows-based) and calibration gas. We provide the exact gas specifications before installation so you can have everything ready.
The Micro-Oxymax offers CO₂ recovery detection as low as 0.03 mg per hour in closed-loop mode, with minimum gas exchange detection of ~0.2 µL per hour in specific configurations, and supports multiple programmable gas sensor options for flexible research applications.
Yes — there is a gas blending option so you can run your experiments under altered atmospheric conditions.
One of our application engineers will come on-site to install the system, configure the software, and train your team to ensure you are fully prepared to begin testing.
Test for all major aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation standards, including industrial and home compost, landfill, marine water, soil, and wastewater (e.g., ISO 14855, ASTM D5338, ISO 22403, ASTM D6691, EN 13432).
Yes, the Micro-Oxymax-C is a streamlined, open-loop version explicitly designed for compost standards — a cost-effective choice if your work is focused only on compost biodegradation.
Perform a simple calibration before each test. The process takes about ten minutes and ensures maximum accuracy.
While third-party certification is still required, the Micro-Oxymax provides the confidence you need before submitting formulations. By monitoring CO₂ recovery, you can often determine pass or fail trends early in R&D and avoid wasting time on non-promising tests.
Yes, the system comes with software that enables real-time data collection and management. Capabilities include exportable data, graphical views during experiments, etc. You can download any future software updates when they become available.
The programmable enclosure operates from 4 °C to 60 °C, covering everything from refrigerated soil and marine studies to thermophilic compost testing.
Yes. By tracking CO₂ recovery rates, researchers can often predict material degradation outcomes well before the full test duration, enabling faster go/no-go decisions in product development.
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