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Occurrence and Function of the Acetyl-CoA Cleavage Pathway in a Syntrophic Propionate-Oxidizing Bacterium

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Acetogenesis

Part of the book series: Chapman & Hall Microbiology Series ((CHMBS))

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Abstract

In methanogenic ecosystems, mineralization of organic matter proceeds via consortia of different physiological types of bacteria. In sequences of oxidation-reduction reactions, complex organic matter is converted to the most reduced (CH4) and the most oxidized form (CO2) of carbon (Zehnder, 1978; Gujer and Zehnder, 1983; Boone, 1982). Methanogens do not use compounds like carbohydrates or amino acids for growth. Therefore, they depend on fermentative and acetogenic bacteria for their substrate supply. The substrates which can be used by methanogens include acetate, formate, H2/CO2, methanol, methylated amines, ethanol, and isopropanol (Whitman et al., 1992; Widdel, 1986). However, quantitatively, acetate and hydrogen are the most important substrates for methanogens. During the degradation of complex organic matter about two-thirds of the methane is formed by the cleavage of acetate, whereas the remainder is formed by the reduction of CO2 with H2 (Mah et al., 1977; Gujer and Zehnder, 1983).

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Authors
  1. Alfons J. M. Stams
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  2. Caroline M. Plugge
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Ökologische Mikrobiologie, BITÖK, Universität Bayreuth, D - 95440, Bayreuth, Germany

    Harold L. Drake

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Stams, A.J.M., Plugge, C.M. (1994). Occurrence and Function of the Acetyl-CoA Cleavage Pathway in a Syntrophic Propionate-Oxidizing Bacterium. In: Drake, H.L. (eds) Acetogenesis. Chapman & Hall Microbiology Series. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1777-1_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1777-1_22

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5716-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-1777-1

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