Abstract
Pure cultures of H2/CO2- and formate-utilizing methanogens or mixed consortia of sewage sludge generated some formate from H2/CO2 at H2 partial pressure in the gas phase above 200 kPa. At decreasing H2 partial pressure the formate was taken up again and converted to methane. If methanogenesis was inhibited by bromoethanesulphonic acid (BESA) or a high redox potential (−180 to −200 mV), formate-utilizing methanogens produced high amounts of formate from H2/CO2. No formate was excreted by the species, which could only utilize H2/CO2 for methanogenesis. In contrast, H2 formation from formate was observed in cultures of Methanobacterium thermoformicicum and M. formicicum. Measurable amounts were, however, only formed if its immediate utilization for methane production was inhibited by BESA. In the light of the data on formate formation from H2/CO2 and its re-utilization by all formate-utilizing methanogens, the concept of interspecies formate transfer of Thiele and Zeikus should be reconsidered. In pure cultures of methanogens or complex ecosystems with excess H2, formate formation seemed to serve more as a means of disposal of surplus reducing power than for H2 transfer.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Balch WE, Fox GE, Magrum LJ, Woese CR, Wolfe RS (1979) Methonogens: reevaluation of a unique biological group. Microbiol Rev 43:260–296
Bambauer A (1992) Anaerober Benzoatabbau mit einem neuen Nitratreduzierer. Diplomarbeit, Universität Regensburg
Bleicher K, Winter J (1991) Purification and properties of F420 − and NADP+-dependent alcohol dehydrogenases of Methanogenium liminatans and Methanobacterium palustre, specific for secondary alcohols. Eur J Biochem 200:43–51
Bleicher Z, Zellner G, Winter J (1989) Growth of methanogens on cyclopentanol/CO2 and specificity of alcohol dehydrogenase. FEMS Microbiol Lett 59:307–312
Boone DR, Bryant MP (1980) Propionate-degrading bacterium, Syntrophobacter wolinii sp. nov., gen. nov. from methanogenic ecosystems. Appl Environ Microbiol 40:626–632
Bryant MP, Wolin EA, Wolin MJ, Wolfe RS (1967) “Methanobacillus omelianskii”, a symbiotic association of two species of bacteria. Arch Microbiol 59:20–31
Bryant MP, Campbell LL, Reddy CA, Crabill MA (1977) Growth of Desulfovibrio in lactate or ethanol media low in sulfate in association with H2-utilizing methanogenic bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 33:1162–1169
Chen M, Wolin MJ (1977) Influence of CH4-production by Methanobacterium ruminantium of the fermentation of glucose and lactate by Selenomonas ruminantium. Appl Environ Microbiol 34:756–759
Ferry JG, Wolfe RS (1976) Anaerobic degradation of benzoate to methane by a syntrophic consortium. Arch Microbiol 107:33–40
McInerney MJ, Bryant MP, Pfennig N (1979) Anaerobic bacterium that degrades fatty acids in syntrophic association with methanogens. Arch Microbiol 132:129–135
Miller TL, Wolin MJ (1973) Formation of hydrogen and formate by Ruminococcus albus. J Bacteriol 116:836–846
Thiele JH, Zeikus JG (1988) Control of interspecies electron flow during anaerobic digestion: the role of formate versus hydrogen transfer during syntrophic methanogenesis in flocs. Appl Environ Microbiol 54:20–29
Weast RC (ed) (1979) Handbook of chemistry and physics, 60th edn. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla
Wildenauer FX, Winter J (1985) Anaerobic digestion of high-strength acidic whey in a pH-controlled up-flow fixed film loop reactor. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 22:367–372
Winfrey MR, Zeikus JG (1977) Effect of sulfate on carbon and electron flow during microbial methanogenesis in fresh water sediments. Appl Environ Microbiol 33:275–281
Winter J (1980) Glucose fermentation to methane and CO2 by defined mixed cultures. Zentralbl Bakteriol Hyg I Abt Orig C1:201–214
Winter J (1984) Anaerobic waste stabilization. Biotechnol Adv 2:75–99
Winter J, Wolfe RS (1979) Complete degradation of carbohydrates to carbon dioxide and methane by syntrophic cultures of Acetobacterium woodii and Methanosarcina barkeri. Arch Microbiol 121:97–102
Winter J, Wolfe RS (1980) Methane formation from fructose by syntrophic associations of Acetobacterium woodii and different strains of methanogens. Arch Microbiol 124:73–79
Winter J, Lerp C, Zabel HP, Wildenauer FX, König H, Schindler F (1984) Methanobacterium wolfei sp. nov., a new tungsten-requiring, thermophilic, autotrophic methanogen. Syst Appl Microbiol 5:457–466
Wolin MJ, Miller TL (1982) Interspecies H2 transfer: 15 years later. ASM News (Am Soc Microbiol) 48:561–565
Wolin EA, Wolin MJ, Wolfe RS (1963) Formation of methane by bacterial extracts. J Biol Chem 238:2882–2886
Zabel HP, König H, Winter J (1985) Emended description of Methanogenium thermophilicum, Rivard and Smith, and assignment of new isolates to this species. Syst Appl Microbiol 6:72–78
Zellner G, Bleicher K, Braun E, Kneifel H, Tindall BJ, Conway de Macario E, Winter J (1989) Characterization of a new mesophilic, secondary alcohol-utilizing methanogen, Methanobacterium palustre spec. nov. from a peat bog. Arch Microbiol 151:1–9
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Correspondence to: J. Winter
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bleicher, K., Winter, J. Formate production and utilization by methanogens and by sewage sludge consortia — interference with the concept of interspecies formate transfer. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 40, 910–915 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173998
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173998