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. 1981 Sep;42(3):413–420. doi: 10.1128/aem.42.3.413-420.1981

Conversion of Cellulose to Methane and Carbon Dioxide by Triculture of Acetivibrio cellulolyticus, Desulfovibrio sp., and Methanosarcina barkeri†

Victoria M Laube 1, Stanley M Martin 1
PMCID: PMC244029  PMID: 16345841

Abstract

The fermentation of cellulose by monocultures of Acetivibrio cellulolyticus and cocultures of A. cellulolyticus-Methanosarcina barkeri, A. cellulolyticus-Desulfovibrio sp., and A. cellulolyticus-M. barkeri-Desulfovibrio sp. was studied. The monoculture produced ethanol, acetate, H2, and CO2. More acetate and less ethanol was formed by the cocultures than by the monoculture. Acetate was utilized by M. barkeri in coculture with A. cellulolyticus after a lag period, whereas ethanol was metabolized by the sulfate reducer only under conditions of low H2 partial pressure, i.e., when cocultured with A. celluloyticus-M. barkeri or when grown together with the methanogen. Only the three-component culture carried out the rapid conversion of cellulose to CO2 and methane. Furthermore, this culture hydrolyzed the most cellulose—85% of that initially present. This amount was increased to 90% by increasing the population of M. barkeri in the triculture. Methane production was also increased, and a quicker fermentation rate was achieved.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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