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Defined bacterial culture development for methane generation from lactose
Author(s) -
Yang ShangTian,
Tang IChing,
Okos Martin R.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260320106
Subject(s) - lactose , methane , microbiological culture , chemistry , biochemical engineering , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , food science , engineering , organic chemistry , genetics
The defined microbial cultures for methane generation from lactose were investigated. A mixed culture consisting of homolactic ( Streptococcus lactis ), homoacetic ( Clostridium formicoaceticum ), and acetate‐utilizing methanogenic ( Methanococcus mazei ) bacteria was used to convert lactose and whey permeate to methane at mesophilic temperatures (35–37°C) and a pH around 7.0. Lactose was first converted to lactic acid by S. lactis , then to acetic acid by C. formicoaceticum , and finally to methane and CO 2 by M. mazei. About 5.3 mol methane were obtained from each mole of lactose consumed, and the conversion of acetate to methane was the rate‐limiting step for this mixed‐culture fermentation.