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Complete degradation of carbohydrate to carbon dioxide and methane by syntrophic cultures of Acetobacterium woodii and Methanosarcina barkeri

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Abstract

Methanosarcina barkeri (strain MS) grew and converted acetate to CO2 and methane after an adaption period of 20 days. Growth and metabolism were rapid with gas production being comparable to that of cells grown on H2 and CO2. After an intermediary growth cycle under a H2 and CO2 atmosphere acetateadapted cells were capable of growth on acetate with formation of methane and CO2. When acetate-adapted Methanosarcina barkeri was co-cultered with Acetobacterium woodii on fructose or glucose as substrate, a complete conversion of the carbohydrate to gases (CO2 and CH4) was observed.

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Abbreviations

CMC:

carboxymethyl cellulose

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  1. Josef Winter

    Present address: Botanisches Institut der Universität München, Menzingerstraße 67, D-8000, München 19, Federal Republic of Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, 61801, Urbana, Illinois, USA

    Josef Winter & Ralph S. Wolfe

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  1. Josef Winter
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  2. Ralph S. Wolfe
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Winter, J., Wolfe, R.S. Complete degradation of carbohydrate to carbon dioxide and methane by syntrophic cultures of Acetobacterium woodii and Methanosarcina barkeri . Arch. Microbiol. 121, 97–102 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409211

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00409211

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