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An approach to improve methanogenesis through the use of mixed cultures isolated from biogas digester

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Abstract

Biogas production has been shown to be inhibited by branched chain fatty acids (isobutyric, isovaleric) produced in the digester by cellulolytic organisms. Performance of these mixed cellulolytic cultures isolated at 25°C (C25) and at 35° (C35) in a batch digester using cattle manure confirmed that C35, which forms mainly straight chain fatty acids from cellulose was more suitable for use as an inoculum than C25 which formed predominantly branched chain fatty acids. Reconstitution of cellulolytic culture C35 and mixed methanogens M35 almost doubled both the amount and rate of methane production. Cellulolytic culture was useful in pretreatment of water hyacinth prior to its use as a substrate for methane generation A method for preservation and transportation of mixed cellulolytic culture for use as an inoculum in the digester is described.

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Abbreviations

VFA:

Volatile fatty acids

GLC:

gas-liquid chromotography

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hindustan Lever Research Centre, Andheri (East), 400 099, Bombay, India

    G. P. Kalle, Kalpana K. Nayak & Christina De Sa

Authors
  1. G. P. Kalle
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  2. Kalpana K. Nayak
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  3. Christina De Sa
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Kalle, G.P., Nayak, K.K. & De Sa, C. An approach to improve methanogenesis through the use of mixed cultures isolated from biogas digester. Journal of Biosciences 9, 137–144 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02702688

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02702688

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