The present invention is directed to methods and substances which can be utilized to enhance bioconversion process. It relates to a method of increasing the capacity and rate of a microbial cell population's bioconversion of a substrate in an aqueous system, without an attendant significant increase in (i) the microbial cell population and (ii) solid waste production from said bioconversion, which microbial cells maintain their life cycle and reproduce through the production, use and storage of energy and the maintenance of an energy reservoir, characterized in that there is added to said system an effective amount of a substance or substances which will effectively impede the natural tendency of the microbial cell during its bioconversion of said substrate to attain its normal energy reservoir level and will thereby promote greater bioconversion of the substrate because of the microbial cell's attempt to achieve its normal energy reservoir. It also relates to a composition characterized by a member selected from
(A) beta-bromo-beta-nitrostyrene, and bis-(trichiorome- thyl) sulfone and at least one member selected from (B) 4,7 diphenyl-1, 10 phenathroiine;
2-mercaptobenzothiazole; myristic acid; N,N,N',N'tetramethyl p-phenylene diamine; rotenone; salicylanilide; tetraphenylboron; thiosalicylic acid; and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide.