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Evaluation of stable isotope fingerprinting techniques for the assessment of the predominant methanogenic pathways in anaerobic digesters

  • Bioenergy and biofuels
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Abstract

Laboratory biogas reactors were operated under various conditions using maize silage, chicken manure, or distillers grains as substrate. In addition to the standard process parameters, the hydrogen and carbon stable isotopic composition of biogas was analyzed to estimate the predominant methanogenic pathways as a potential process control tool. The isotopic fingerprinting technique was evaluated by parallel analysis of mcrA genes and their transcripts to study the diversity and activity of methanogens. The dominant hydrogenotrophs were Methanomicrobiales, while aceticlastic methanogens were represented by Methanosaeta and Methanosarcina at low and high organic loading rates, respectively. Major changes in the relative abundance of mcrA transcripts were observed compared to the results obtained from DNA level. In agreement with the molecular results, the isotope data suggested the predominance of the hydrogenotrophic pathway in one reactor fed with chicken manure, while both pathways were important in the other reactors. Short-term changes in the isotopic composition were followed, and a significant change in isotope values was observed after feeding a reactor digesting maize silage. This ability of stable isotope fingerprinting to follow short-term activity changes shows potential for indicating process failures and makes it a promising technology for process control.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Initiative and Networking Fund of the Helmholtz Association. We would like to acknowledge Petra Blümel (UFZ—Department Catchment Hydrology) for providing hydrogen isotope data of the tap water in Leipzig. We would like to thank Katrin Strach and Robin Bujak (DBFZ) for their help in operating the biogas reactors and performing analytics.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioenergy, UFZ—Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany

    M. Nikolausz, R. F. H. Walter, H. Sträuber & S. Kleinsteuber

  2. Department of Biochemical Conversion, Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ), Leipzig, Germany

    J. Liebetrau & T. Schmidt

  3. Department of Environmental Microbiology, UFZ—Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany

    S. Kleinsteuber

  4. Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, UFZ—Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany

    F. Bratfisch, U. Günther & H. H. Richnow

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  1. M. Nikolausz
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  2. R. F. H. Walter
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  3. H. Sträuber
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  4. J. Liebetrau
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Correspondence to M. Nikolausz.

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Nikolausz, M., Walter, R.F.H., Sträuber, H. et al. Evaluation of stable isotope fingerprinting techniques for the assessment of the predominant methanogenic pathways in anaerobic digesters. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 97, 2251–2262 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-012-4657-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-012-4657-0

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