Methanogen

About: Methanogen is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1146 publications have been published within this topic receiving 48254 citations.

Interspecies hydrogen transfer in co-cultures of methanol-utilizing acidogens and sulfate-reducing or methanogenic bacteria

Abstract: The metabolism of methanol by acidogenic bacteria (Butyribacterium methylotrophicum, Sporomusa ovata and Acetobacterium woodii) was studied in pure culture and in defined mixed cultures with sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfovibrio vulgaris) or methanogenic bacteria (Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus strain AZ). In the mixed cultures, less acids (acetate and/or butyrate) were formed per unit methanol converted than in pure cultures. In these mixed cultures, a significant production of sulfide or methane was observed despite the inability of the sulfate reducer and the methanogen to use methanol as an energy substrate. These results are explained in terms of interspecies hydrogen transfer between the acidogens (converting part of the methanol to 1 CO2 and 3 H2) and the Desulfovibrio or Methanobrevibacter species. The bioenergetic aspects of this process and its ecological implications are discussed.

Adaptation of Methanogenic Communities to the Cofermentation of Cattle Excreta and Olive Mill Wastes at 37°C and 55°C

Abstract: The acclimatization of methanogens to two-phase olive mill wastes (TPOMW) was investigated in pilot fermenters started up with cattle excreta (37°C) and after changing their feed to excreta plus TPOMW (37°C or 55°C) or TPOMW alone (37°C) until a steady state was reached (28 days). Methanogenic diversity was screened using a phylogenetic microarray (AnaeroChip), and positive targets were quantified by real-time PCR. Results revealed high phylogenetic richness, with representatives of three out of the four taxonomic orders found in digesters. Methanosarcina dominated in the starting excreta (>96% of total 16S rRNA gene copies; over 45 times more abundant than any other methanogen) at high acetate (0.21 g liter−1) and ammonia N concentrations (1.3 g liter−1). Codigestion at 37°C induced a 6-fold increase of Methanosarcina numbers, correlated with CH4 production (rPearson = 0.94; P = 0.02). At 55°C, the rise in temperature and H2 partial pressure induced a burst of Methanobacterium, Methanoculleus, Methanothermobacter, and a group of uncultured archaea. The digestion of excreta alone resulted in low but constant biogas production despite certain oscillations in the methanogenic biomass. Unsuccessful digestion of TPOMW alone was attributed to high Cu levels inducing inhibition of methanogenic activity. In conclusion, the versatile Methanosarcina immediately adapted to the shift from excreta to excreta plus TPOMW and was responsible for the stimulated CH4 production at 37°C. Higher temperatures (55°C) fostered methanogenic diversity by promoting some H2 scavengers while yielding the highest CH4 production. Further testing is needed to find out whether there is a link between increased methanogenic diversity and reactor productivity.

Methanococcus infernus sp. nov., a novel hyperthermophilic lithotrophic methanogen isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent

Abstract: An autotrophic, extremely thermophilic methanogen (MET) was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal chimney sample collected on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at a depth of 3000 m. The heavily flagellated cells are motile and coccoid shaped. The new strain grows between 55 and 91 °C, with an optimum growth temperature at 85 °C. The optimum pH for growth is 6.5, and the optimum sea salt concentration for growth is around 25 g I-1. The organism uses H2 and CO2 as the only substrate for growth and methane production. Tungsten, selenium and yeast extract stimulate growth significantly. In the presence of CO2 and H2, the organism reduces elemental sulphur to hydrogen sulphide. The G+C content of the genomic DNA is 33 mol%. As determined by 16S gene sequence analysis, this organism is closely related to Methanococcus jannaschii strain JAL-1T. However, no significant homology was observed between them with DNA-DNA hybridization. It is proposed that this organism should be placed in a new species, Methanococcus infernus. The type strain is MET(-DSM 11812T.

Acetylene as an Inhibitor of Methanogenic Bacteria

Abstract: SUMMARY: Growth of six pure cultures of methanogens was inhibited by low concentrations of dissolved acetylene (C2H2); other archaebacteria (three Halobacterium species) and several eubacteria were not similarly affected. The minimum concentration of dissolved C2H2 required to inhibit growth of Methanospirillum hungatei completely was about 8 mu;m; dissolved ethylene at 20 mu;m had little effect on growth. Dissolved acetylene (33 mu;m) did not alter the E h of the medium, or result in a loss in viability of M. hungatei after 16 h exposures. In anaerobic cell extracts of M. hungatei, activities of hydrogenase, NADP reductase, methyl-coenzyme M reductase and ATP hydrolase were not inhibited by C2H2 concentrations several times higher than those required for growth inhibition. The intracellular ATP content of all of the methanogens dropped dramatically on exposure to C2H2. Moreover, cells of M. hungatei and Methanobacterium bryantii on exposure to C2H2 lost their ability to maintain a transmembrane pH gradient. We suggest that exposure to C2H2 results in a decline in methanogen functions which require a H+-flux, including ATP synthesis, Ni2+ uptake and methanogenesis.