Abstract
Anaerobic degradation of the sulfated polysaccharide carrageenan was investigated by batch digestion of the red macroalga Eucheuma cottonii. During a 10-week incubation, ca. 60% of the starting E. cottonii biomass was fermented to CO2, methane, and volatile fatty acids (predominantly acetate). Carrageenan degradation paralleled the loss of total biomass, suggesting no preferential degradation or preservation. After 10 weeks of incubation, the carrageenan content of the remaining biomass was 51%, as opposed to 61% of the original E. cottonii biomass. Carrageenan recovered after 10 weeks of digestion had a lower average molecular weight (319,000 versus 510,000) and formed solutions with considerably lower viscosities than did intact carrageenan. The percent C and percent N content of the particulate material in the digestors increased over time, probably as a result of microbial growth. In contrast, the percent S content decreased continuously; the loss of sulfur was most likely a result of the hydrolysis of carrageenan. Results from this study indicate that it is not economically viable to process E. cottonii simultaneously for hydrocolloids and methane.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Bradley D. F., Wolf M. K. AGGREGATION OF DYES BOUND TO POLYANIONS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1959 Jul;45(7):944–952. doi: 10.1073/pnas.45.7.944. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hoban D. J., van den Berg L. Effect of iron on conversion of acetic acid to methane during methanogenic fermentations. J Appl Bacteriol. 1979 Aug;47(1):153–159. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1979.tb01179.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kaspar H. F., Wuhrmann K. Kinetic parameters and relative turnovers of some important catabolic reactions in digesting sludge. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1978 Jul;36(1):1–7. doi: 10.1128/aem.36.1.1-7.1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- King G. M., Klug M. J. Glucose metabolism in sediments of a eutrophic lake: tracer analysis of uptake and product formation. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1982 Dec;44(6):1308–1317. doi: 10.1128/aem.44.6.1308-1317.1982. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- King G. M., Klug M. J. Sulfhydrolase activity in sediments of wintergreen lake, kalamazoo county, michigan. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1980 May;39(5):950–956. doi: 10.1128/aem.39.5.950-956.1980. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Klass D. L. Methane from anaerobic fermentation. Science. 1984 Mar 9;223(4640):1021–1028. doi: 10.1126/science.223.4640.1021. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Lovley D. R., Klug M. J. Intermediary metabolism of organic matter in the sediments of a eutrophic lake. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1982 Mar;43(3):552–560. doi: 10.1128/aem.43.3.552-560.1982. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- McLean M. W., Williamson F. B. Glycosulphatase from Pseudomonas carrageenovora. Purification and some properties. Eur J Biochem. 1979 Nov;101(2):497–505. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1979.tb19744.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Oshrain R. L., Wiebe W. J. Arylsulfatase activity in salt marsh soils. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1979 Aug;38(2):337–340. doi: 10.1128/aem.38.2.337-340.1979. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Patel G. B., Khan A. W., Roth L. A. Optimum levels of sulphate and iron for the cultivation of pure cultures of methanogens in synthetic media. J Appl Bacteriol. 1978 Dec;45(3):347–356. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1978.tb04235.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Weigl J., Yaphe W. The enzymic hydrolysis of carrageenan by Pseudomonas carrageenovora: purification of a kappa-carrageenase. Can J Microbiol. 1966 Oct;12(5):939–947. doi: 10.1139/m66-127. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]