REVIVAL OF AMMONIA INHIBITED CULTURES OF METHANOBACTERIUM-BRYANTII AND METHANOSARCINA-BARKERI

Ammonia, a major nitrogen source for methanogens, proves toxic if pres ent in excess. The long term effects of excess ammonia were studied wi th Methanobacterium bryantii and Methanosarcina barkeri. Investigation s revealed the latter methanogen as being more sensitive than the form er. Revival was also better for M. bryantii than M. barkeri when both were exposed to identical ammonia concentrations and times, i.e. 550 m M up to 10 d.