Effects of acetate, propionate, and butyrate on the thermophilic anaerobic degradation of propionate by methanogenic sludge and defined cultures

Journal Article · Wed Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1993 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6773857

Lier, J.B. van; Grolle, K C.F.; Frijters, C T.M.J.; Stams, A J.M.; Lettinga, G ^[1]

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1. Wageningen Agricultural Univ. (Netherlands)

Acetate, propionate, and butyrate are intermediate products in the anaerobic bioconversion of organic matter to methane and carbon dioxide. This study examines the effects of acetate, propionate, and butyrate on the thermophilic oxidation of propionate in continuous-flow methanogenic sludge bed systems and in defined propionate-oxidizing cultures. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) in sludge inhibit thermophilic anaerobic oxidation of propionate, dependent on the concentration and on the pH. Addition of butyrate-oxidizing acetogens to the media eliminate the inhibitory effect of butyrate and stimulated propionate conversion. In the propionate-oxidizing enrichment, and to a lesser extent in the UASB reactor, culture growth was affected by acetate. However, the relationship between acetate concentrations and propionate degradation was not clear. Hydrogen is an important intermediate of thermophilic propionate conversion. This study found that propionate oxidation was severely inhibited with no increase in the hydrogen partial pressure in the biogas. As a result, the authors conclude the suitability of hydrogen as a n overall control parameter for anaerobic digestion has to be reconsidered. 29 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6773857
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States) Vol. 59:4; ISSN AEMIDF; ISSN 0099-2240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACETATES
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOCONVERSION
BIODEGRADATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOREACTORS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DIGESTION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDIZED BED REACTORS
FUEL DISPERSION REACTORS
HOMOGENEOUS REACTORS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
KINETICS
MANAGEMENT
MATTER
METHANE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MATTER
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
REACTION KINETICS
REACTORS
SLUDGES
THERMOPHILIC CONDITIONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING