Effect of S0/X0 ratio and acclimation on respirometry of activated sludge in the cometabolic biodegradation of phenolic compounds

► Respirometric experiments with acclimated biomass at varying S0/X0 ratios. ► Cometabolic degradation of xenobiotic phenolics in the presence of phenol. ► Determination of optimum S0/X0 ratio for cometabolism using respirometry. ► Acclimation results in cometabolic biodegradation at resting cell conditions.