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DOI 10.1007/s00253-012-4657-0
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Title (Primary) Evaluation of stable isotope fingerprinting techniques for the assessment of the predominant methanogenic pathways in anaerobic digesters
Author Nikolausz, M.; Walter, R.F.H.; Sträuber, H.; Liebetrau, J.; Schmidt, T.; Kleinsteuber, S. ORCID logo ; Bratfisch, F.; Günther, U.; Richnow, H.H.
Source Titel Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Year 2013
Department ISOBIO; UMB; BIOENERGIE
Volume 97
Issue 5
Page From 2251
Page To 2262
Language englisch
Supplements https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs00253-012-4657-0/MediaObjects/253_2012_4657_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
Keywords Stable isotope fingerprinting; Process control; Biogas; mcrA; Methanogens; Methanogenic activity
UFZ wide themes RU4;
Abstract Laboratory biogas reactors were operated under various conditions using maize silage, chicken manure, or distillers grains as substrate. In addition to the standard process parameters, the hydrogen and carbon stable isotopic composition of biogas was analyzed to estimate the predominant methanogenic pathways as a potential process control tool. The isotopic fingerprinting technique was evaluated by parallel analysis of mcrA genes and their transcripts to study the diversity and activity of methanogens. The dominant hydrogenotrophs were Methanomicrobiales, while aceticlastic methanogens were represented by Methanosaeta and Methanosarcina at low and high organic loading rates, respectively. Major changes in the relative abundance of mcrA transcripts were observed compared to the results obtained from DNA level. In agreement with the molecular results, the isotope data suggested the predominance of the hydrogenotrophic pathway in one reactor fed with chicken manure, while both pathways were important in the other reactors. Short-term changes in the isotopic composition were followed, and a significant change in isotope values was observed after feeding a reactor digesting maize silage. This ability of stable isotope fingerprinting to follow short-term activity changes shows potential for indicating process failures and makes it a promising technology for process control.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=13358
Nikolausz, M., Walter, R.F.H., Sträuber, H., Liebetrau, J., Schmidt, T., Kleinsteuber, S., Bratfisch, F., Günther, U., Richnow, H.H. (2013):
Evaluation of stable isotope fingerprinting techniques for the assessment of the predominant methanogenic pathways in anaerobic digesters
Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 97 (5), 2251 - 2262 10.1007/s00253-012-4657-0