Stable carbon isotope fractionation by Methanosarcina barkeri during methanogenesis from acetate, methanol, or carbon dioxide-hydrogen

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6970779

Krzycki, J A; Kenealy, W R; DeNiro, M J; Zeikus, J G

Methanosarcina barkeri was cultured on methanol, H/sub 2/-CO/sub 2/, and acetate, and the /sup 13/C//sup 12/C ratios of the substrates and the methane produced from them were determined. The discrimination against /sup 13/C in methane relative to substrate decreased in the order methanol > CO/sub 2/ > acetate. The isotopic fractionation for methane derived from acetate was only one-third of that observed with methanol as the substrate. The data presented indicate that the last enzyme of methanogenesis, methylreductase, is not the primary site of isotopic discrimination during methanogenesis from methanol or CO/sub 2/. These results also support biogeochemical interpretations that gas produced in environments in which acetate is the primary methane precursor will have higher /sup 13/C//sup 12/C ratios than those from environments where other substrates predominate.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6970779
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 53:10; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
ACETATES
ALCOHOLS
ALKANES
BACTERIA
CARBON 12
CARBON 13
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON ISOTOPES
CARBON OXIDES
CARBOXYLIC ACID SALTS
CATABOLISM
CHALCOGENIDES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
GROWTH
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
METABOLISM
METHANE
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
METHANOL
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
STABLE ISOTOPES
YIELDS