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Effect of Support Material on the Development of Microbial Fixed Films Converting Acetic Acid to Methane*
Author(s) -
MURRAY W. D.,
BERG L. VAN DEN
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of applied bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 0021-8847
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1981.tb01240.x
Subject(s) - acetic acid , methane , polyvinyl chloride , scanning electron microscope , methanogenesis , porosity , materials science , chemical engineering , carbon dioxide , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , engineering
A study of the development of methanogenic fixed films on pieces of polyvinyl chloride plastic, etched glass and baked clay showed that support material markedly affected the rate of attachment and growth of bacteria converting acetic acid to methane. Film development, as indicated by the rate of acetate conversion to methane and carbon dioxide, was threefold faster on fired clay than on either PVC plastic or etched glass. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the film of bacteria attached to clay was thick and uniform, while the film attached to PVC plastic was thin although still uniform. Attachment to etched glass was spotty. The characteristics of clay which made it a superior support appeared to be its rough, porous surface which offered attachment sites to the micro‐organisms and the presence of minerals in the clay, particularly iron which is known to stimulate methanogenesis and growth.

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