ENHANCED RATE OF METHANOL AND ACETATE UPTAKE FOR PRODUCTION OF METHANE IN BATCH CULTURES USING METHANOSARCINA-MAZEI

Batch cultures were performed for uptake of methanol, and acetate for production of methane and CO2 by Methanosarcina mazei cultures. The gr owth, substrate consumption, methane and CO2 production characteristic s were analysed and compared. The maximum values of specific growth ra te, specific rate of substrate consumption from methanol were 0.047-0. 084 ha(-1), and 0.37-0.67 g methanol g(-1) cells h(-1) while the value s of specific rate of methane and CO2 formation were 13.38-19.99 mM me thane g(-1) cells h(-1), and 5.46 m(M) CO2 g(-1) cells h(-1), respecti vely. Similarly, maximum values of specific growth rate, and specific rate of acetate consumption were 0.059-0.096 h(-1), 0.49-0.74 g acetat e g(-1) cells h(-1), respectively, while the values of specific rate o f methane and CO2 formation were, 5.30-9.90 mM methane g(-1) cells h(- 1), and 5.30-11.0 mM CO2 g(-1) cells h(-1) from its consumption. The v alues of substrate consumption kinetic parameters are significantly hi gher than those reported in other studies for Methanosarcina spp. and other acetoclastic methane producers. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier S cience Ltd. All rights reserved.