Uncoupling of methanogenesis from growth of Methanosarcina barkeri by phosphate limitation

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5711668

Archer, D B

Production of methane by Methanosarcina barkeri from H/sub 2/-CO/sub 2/ was studied in fed-batch culture under phosphate-limiting conditions. A transition in the kinetics of methanogenesis from an exponentially increasing rate to a constant rate was due to depletion of phosphate from the medium. The period of exponentially increasing rate of methanogenesis was extended by increasing the initial concentration of phosphate in the medium. Addition of phosphate during the constant period changed the kinetics to an exponentially increasing rate of methanogenesis, indicating the reversibility of phosphate depletion. The relation between methanogenesis and growth of M. barkeri was investigated by measuring the incorporation of phosphorus, supplied as KH/sub 2//sup 32/PO/sub 4/, in the medium. At a low (1 ..mu..M) initial concentration of phosphate in the medium and during the constant period of methanogenesis, there was no net cell growth. At a higher (10 ..mu..M) initial concentration of phosphate, cell growth proceeded linearly with time after phosphate had been removed from the medium by uptake into cells.

• Research Organization: Food Research Institute, Norwich, England
• OSTI ID: 5711668
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 50:5; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALKANES
BACTERIA
BATCH CULTURE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CULTURE MEDIA
GROWTH
HYDROCARBONS
INHIBITION
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHATES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS