Evaluation of biodegradability of phenol and bisphenol A during mesophilic and thermophilic municipal solid waste anaerobic digestion using 13C-labeled contaminants

► Phenol is biodegradable during mesophilic and thermophilic MSW anaerobic digestion. ► In mesophilic condition, phenol biodegradation occurs through the benzoic acid pathway. ► At 55 °C no metabolites (except acetate) were observed as mineralization is instantaneous. ► Bisphenol A appears not to be biodegradable during MSW anaerobic digestion.