Methanogenesis from Ethanol by Defined Mixed Continuous Cultures

Methanogenesis from sucrose by defined immobilized consortia.

A bacterial consortium capable of sucrose degradation primarily to CH(4) and CO(2) was constructed, with acetate as the key methanogenic precursor. In addition, the effect of agar immobilization on the activity of the consortium was determined. The primary fermentative organism, Escherichia coli, produced acetate, formate, H(2), and CO(2) (known substrates for methanogens), as well as ethanol a...

Bioleaching of Copper from Low-Grade Ore Using Isolated Bacteria and Defined Mixed Cultures

Xenobiotic breakdown by mixed cultures.

Conclusion The interactions of methanogens with other organisms in natural habitats are various. At a metabolic level methanogens may compete for substrates with other bacteria and are involved in mutualistic interactions with non-methanogenic bacteria. Mutualism between methanogens and protozoa also occurs and, in addition, methanogens interact physically as episymbionts of rumen ciliates. Kno...

A continuous flow apparatus for the study of mixed cultures.

Although a continuous flow technique has been applied to pure culture studies by a number of workers, we are aware of only three reports (Rogers and Whittier, 1930; Savage and Florey, 1950; Zubrzycki and Spaulding, 1957) describing its use with mixed bacterial cultures. The advantages of the chemostat over the usual test tube-petri plate methods were outlined by Braun (1953) and by Novick (1955...

Electricity from methane by reversing methanogenesis

Given our vast methane reserves and the difficulty in transporting methane without substantial leaks, the conversion of methane directly into electricity would be beneficial. Microbial fuel cells harness electrical power from a wide variety of substrates through biological means; however, the greenhouse gas methane has not been used with much success previously as a substrate in microbial fuel ...