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Degradation patterns and intermediates in the anaerobic digestion of glucose: Experiments with 14C-labeled substrates

  • Physiology and Growth
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Abstract

A mineral salts medium containing 1% (w/v) glucose was subjected to anaerobic digestion in an upflow reactor. Performance with respect to utilization of glucose was monitored by collection of fermentation gases and calculation of carbon mass balances. Sub-samples of bacterial supennsions from the upflow reactor were incubated with (U-14C)-glucose, (U-14C)-acetate, (2-14C)-propionate, (1-14C)-butyrate or 14C-carbonate. Individual radioactive products in samples from incubation mixtures were analysed by radio gas chromatography.

Quantitatively, acetate and propionate were the only important intermediates in glucose degradation by glucose-adapted sludge, with acetate accounting for the largest part of intermediary fatty acid flux.

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Abbreviations

ATP:

Adenosine Triphosphate

TIC:

Total Inorganic Carbon

TOC:

Total Organic Carbon

VFA:

Volatile Fatty Acids

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Author notes

  1. A. Cohen

    Present address: CSM Suiker b.v., P.O. Box 349, 1000 AH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Microbiology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    A. Cohen, A. van Deursen, J. G. van Andel & A. M. Breure

  2. Laboratory for Chemical Technology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    A. Cohen, A. van Deursen, J. G. van Andel & A. M. Breure

Authors
  1. A. Cohen
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  2. A. van Deursen
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  3. J. G. van Andel
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  4. A. M. Breure
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Additional information

The research described in this publication was supported by the Dutch Ministry of Public Health and Environmental Protection.

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Cohen, A., van Deursen, A., van Andel, J.G. et al. Degradation patterns and intermediates in the anaerobic digestion of glucose: Experiments with 14C-labeled substrates. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 48, 337–352 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418287

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418287

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