Methanogenic community shifts during the transition from sewage mono-digestion to co-digestion of grass biomass. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hardegen, Justus; Latorre-Pérez, Adriel; Vilanova, Cristina; Günther, Thomas; Porcar, Manuel; Luschnig, Olaf; Simeonov, Claudia; Abendroth, Christian
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 265(2018)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 281
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Sewage sludge -- Sewage sludge digestion -- Nanopore sequencing -- Co-factor F420 quantification -- Wastewater treatment plants -- Anaerobic digestion; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.06.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Microbial community during fed-batch anaerobic digestion of grass was analysed. Community changes based on 16S-rRNA- and cofactor F420 profiles were detected. Methanomethylovorans and Methanosarcina indicated increasing digester performance. The increase of methanogens was similar in liquid and solid anaerobic fed batches. Nanopore-based sequencers are well suited for surveillance of AD processes. Abstract: In this work, liquid and solid fractions of grass biomass were used as co-substrates for anaerobic co-digestion of sewage sludge. The input of grass biomass was increased gradually, and the underlying methanogenic microbiome was assessed by means of microscopy-based cell counting and full-length 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing, proving for the first time the suitability of nanopore-based portable sequencers as a monitoring tool for anaerobic digestion systems. In both cases co-fermentation resulted in an increased number of bacteria and methanogenic archaea. Interestingly, the microbial communities were highly different between solid and liquid-fed batches. Liquid-fed batches developed a more stable microbiome, enriched in Methanosarcina spp., and resulted in higher methanogenic yield. In contrast, solid-fed batches were highly unstable at higher substrate concentrations, and kept Methanosaeta spp. – typically associated to sewage sludge – as the majoritary methanogenic archaea.