Production of H-2 from cellulose by rumen microorganisms: effects of inocula pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis

Author(s)

Ratti, Regiane Priscila ^[1] ; Botta, Livia Silva ^[1] ; Sakamoto, Isabel Kimiko ^[1] ; Silva, Edson Luiz ^[2] ; Amancio Varesche, Maria Bernadete ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Engn Sao Carlos, Dept Hydraul & Sanitat, BR-13563120 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Chem Engn, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Biotechnology Letters; v. 36, n. 3, p. 537-546, MAR 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

H-2 production from cellulose, using rumen fluid as the inoculum, has been investigated in batch experiments. Methanogenic archaea were inhibited by acid pre-treatment, which also inhibited cellulolytic microorganisms, and in consequence, the conversion of cellulose to H-2. Positive results were observed only with the addition of cellulase. H-2 yields were 18.5 and 9.6 mmol H-2 g cellulose(-1) for reactors with 2 and 4 g cellulose l(-1) and cellulase, respectively. H-2 was primarily generated by the butyric acid pathway and this was followed by formation of acetic acid, ethanol and n-butanol. In reactors using 4 g cellulose l(-1) and cellulase, the accumulation of alcohols negatively affected the H-2 yield, which changed the fermentation pathways to solventogenesis. PCR-DGGE analysis showed changes in the microbial communities. The phylogenetic affiliations of the bands of DGGE were 99 % similar to Clostridium sp. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/15984-0 - Bioenergy production from wastewaters and environmental fitting of liquid and solid wastes generated
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/01237-6 - Hydrolisis of sugar cane bagasse for hydrogen production in thermophilic condition
• Grantee: Regiane Priscila Ratti Sartori
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral