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Production of H2 from cellulose by rumen microorganisms: effects of inocula pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis

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Abstract

H2 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 H2. Positive results were observed only with the addition of cellulase. H2 yields were 18.5 and 9.6 mmol H2 g cellulose−1 for reactors with 2 and 4 g cellulose l−1 and cellulase, respectively. H2 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 H2 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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP–Process No 2009/15984-0 and No 2010/01237-6).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, School of Engineering of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, Av. João Dagnone, 1100, Jd. Santa Angelina, São Carlos, CEP 13563-120, SP, Brazil

    Regiane Priscila Ratti, Lívia Silva Botta, Isabel Kimiko Sakamoto & Maria Bernadete Amâncio Varesche

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, São Carlos, CEP 13565-905, SP, Brazil

    Edson Luiz Silva

Authors
  1. Regiane Priscila Ratti
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  2. Lívia Silva Botta
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  3. Isabel Kimiko Sakamoto
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  4. Edson Luiz Silva
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  5. Maria Bernadete Amâncio Varesche
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Correspondence to Maria Bernadete Amâncio Varesche.

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Ratti, R.P., Botta, L.S., Sakamoto, I.K. et al. Production of H2 from cellulose by rumen microorganisms: effects of inocula pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Biotechnol Lett 36, 537–546 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-013-1395-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-013-1395-z

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