RÉSUMÉ
Results of ready biodegradability tests (RBT) are barely reproducible owing to a well-known lack of definition in inoculum source and quality. In this study, the degree of variability expected when only activated sludges are used as inoculum source was investigated. For this, the characteristics of activated sludges collected in municipal wastewater treatment plants operating at various massic loading rates (MLR; 0.1, 0.5 and 0.9 kgBOD5 kgVSS(-1) d(-1)) were compared. In order to provide suitable cellular densities for RBT, inocula were obtained after settling of activated sludges and analyzed in terms of active and cultivable cell densities, dehydrogenasic activity, BOD5 and a general profile of hydrolytic enzymes. In our analysis, biomass obtained from the High-MLR treatment plant constituted the inoculum having the highest biodegradation potential both with respect to microbial densities and to enzyme activities. This biomass also yielded the fastest biodegradation kinetics in dodecyl benzene sulfonate RBT. An attempt of biomass homogenization of inocula on the basis of cultivable cell density and dehydrogenasic activity gave negative results with this chemical compound. Since, in practice, restriction of activated sludge sources may be difficult, our results emphasize the importance of further studies aimed at homogenization of inoculum quality and quantity.