The aim of the study was to ascertain the extent to which temperature influences the utilisation of main carbon sources (reducing substances determined before and after hydrolysis, glycerol and organic acids) by a mixed culture of thertno- and mesophilic bacteria of the genus Bacillus in the course of aerobic batch biodegradation of potato stillage, a high-strength distillery effluent (COD = 51.88 g O(2)/l). The experiments were performed at 20, 30, 35. 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 63 C, at pH 7, in a 5 l working volume stirred-tank bioreactor (Biostat (R) B, B. Braun Biotech International) with a stirrer speed of 550 rpm and aeration at 1.6 vvm. Particular consideration was given to the following issues: (1) the sequence in which the main carbon sources in the stillage were assimilated and (2) the extent of their assimilation achieved under these conditions. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.