Microbial physiology of an anaerobic propionate-degrading consortium

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6897849

Xun, L

A methanogenic propionate-degrading consortium, comprised of a strictly anaerobic chemoheterotroph and two types of methanogenic bacteria, is responsible for the complete conversion of propionate to CH{sub 4} and CO{sub 2} via the intermediate formation of acetate, H{sub 2}, and CO{sub 2}. Propionate oxidation by the heterotroph to acetate, H{sub 2} and CO{sub 2} proceeds only if H{sub 2} is removed through oxidation by CO{sub 2}-reducing methanogens. Acetate may only be catabolized anaerobically by one specific physiological group of bacteria, the aceticlastic methanogens, which produces CH{sub 4} and CO{sub 2} by cleaving acetate. Representatives of all three of these organisms have been studied. The effects of environmental factors such as temperature, pH, and nutrients on anaerobic propionate degradation was studied by enrichment cultures. From the propionate enrichment, the H{sub 2} using methanogen (strain LX1) and the propionate-degrading organism (strain LX2) were isolated. Both organisms have been characterized. In regard to the aceticlastic reaction, Methanosarcina mazei S-6 isolated by Mah (1980), was studied as the third member of the consortium. By changing the culture conditions, the morphology of M. mazei was manipulated from an aggregated to single cell form.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Los Angeles, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6897849
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200* -- Biochemistry
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ACETATES
ALKANES
BACTERIA
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
ELEMENTS
HYBRIDIZATION
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
METABOLISM
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
MORPHOLOGY
NONMETALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSIOLOGY
PROPIONIC ACID
SYNTHESIS