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Characterization of microbial community dynamics during the anaerobic co-digestion of thermally pre-treated slaughterhouse wastes with glycerin addition

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Abstract

Microbial community dynamics during the anaerobic co-digestion of pig manure, pasteurized slaughterhouse waste and glycerin were studied in a lab-scale CSTR. The feed composition was optimized through progressive co-substrate additions for enhanced methane production and organic matter removal without accumulation of intermediate compounds. Microbial community structure of biomass samples was studied by means of qPCR and DGGE profiling of 16S rRNA genes (Bacteria and Archaea), and genus-specific qPCR of the methyl coenzyme M reductase gene (mcrA), which encodes for an enzyme universally involved in methanogenesis. The composition of the dominant bacterial populations remained relatively stable, when compared to those in the influent, but the highest changes were observed upon the introduction of glycerin. Biodiversity of archaea was restricted to a few representatives of the genera Methanosaeta and Methanosarcina, but Methanospirillum sp. was detected only when glycerin was introduced in the feeding. Glycerin supplementation coincided with the strongest increase in methane yield (from 0.22 to 0.64 m3CH4 m−3 d−1).

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Abbreviations

ABP:

Animal by-products

CODt:

Total chemical oxygen demand

CSTR:

Continuous stirred tank reactor

DGGE:

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

HRT:

Hydraulic retention time

mcrA:

Methyl-coenzyme M reductase

Msar:

Methanosarcinaceae

Msae:

Methanosaetaceae

LCFA:

Chain fatty acids

OLR:

Organic loading rate

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

PM:

Pig manure

PP-ABP:

Pasteurized animal by-product

qPCR:

Quantitative time PCR

RG:

Residual glycerin

rRNA:

Ribosomal ribonucleic acid

TA:

Total alkalinity

TS:

Total solids

VFA:

Volatile fatty acids

VS:

Volatile solids

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project PROBIOGAS PSE-120000–2008-57v). The support of the CERCA Program and of the Consolidated Research Group TERRA (ref. 2017 SGR 1290), both from the Generalitat de Catalunya, is also acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. EnergyLab, CITEXVI —Local 1, Fonte das Abelleiras, s/n, Campus Universitario de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain

    Á. Rodríguez-Abalde

  2. GIRO Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Torre Marimon, Caldes de Montbui, 08140, Barcelona, Spain

    Á. Rodríguez-Abalde, M. Guivernau, F. X. Prenafeta-Boldú & B. Fernández

  3. GIRO Joint Research Unit IRTA-UPC, Department of Agrifood Engineering and Biotechnology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Parc Mediterrani de la Tecnologia, Building D-4, Castelldefels, 08860, Barcelona, Spain

    X. Flotats

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  1. Á. Rodríguez-Abalde
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Correspondence to Á. Rodríguez-Abalde.

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Rodríguez-Abalde, Á., Guivernau, M., Prenafeta-Boldú, F.X. et al. Characterization of microbial community dynamics during the anaerobic co-digestion of thermally pre-treated slaughterhouse wastes with glycerin addition. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 42, 1175–1184 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-019-02115-8

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