Impact of additives on syntrophic propionate and acetate enrichments under high-ammonia conditionsShow others and affiliations
2024 (English)In: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, ISSN 0175-7598, E-ISSN 1432-0614, Vol. 108, no 1, article id 433Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
High ammonia concentrations in anaerobic degradation systems cause volatile fatty acid accumulation and reduced methane yield, which often derive from restricted activity of syntrophic acid-oxidising bacteria and hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Inclusion of additives that facilitate the electron transfer or increase cell proximity of syntrophic species by flocculation can be a suitable strategy to counteract these problems, but its actual impact on syntrophic interactions has yet to be determined. In this study, microbial cultivation and molecular and microscopic analysis were performed to evaluate the impact of conductive (graphene, iron oxide) and non-conductive (zeolite) additives on the degradation rate of acetate and propionate to methane by highly enriched ammonia-tolerant syntrophic cultures derived from a biogas process. All additives had a low impact on the lag phase but resulted in a higher rate of acetate (except graphene) and propionate degradation. The syntrophic bacteria 'Candidatus Syntrophopropionicum ammoniitolerans', Syntrophaceticus schinkii and a novel hydrogenotrophic methanogen were found in higher relative abundance and higher gene copy numbers in flocculating communities than in planktonic communities in the cultures, indicating benefits to syntrophs of living in close proximity to their cooperating partner. Microscopy and element analysis showed precipitation of phosphates and biofilm formation in all batches except on the graphene batches, possibly enhancing the rate of acetate and propionate degradation. Overall, the concordance of responses observed in both acetate- and propionate-fed cultures highlight the suitability of the addition of iron oxide or zeolites to enhance acid conversion to methane in high-ammonia biogas processes.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
SPRINGER , 2024. Vol. 108, no 1, article id 433
Keywords [en]
Syntrophy; Zeolite; Graphene; Iron oxide; Biogas
National Category
Microbiology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-207119DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13263-7ISI: 001285763100001PubMedID: 39110235OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-207119DiVA, id: diva2:1894162
Note
Funding Agencies|H2020 European Research Council
2024-09-022024-09-022024-09-02