Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Isolation and Screening from Soil Biodiversity for Fungi Involved in the Degradation of Recalcitrant Materials
Published on: May 16, 2022
Effects of temperature, ultraviolet radiation and pectin methyl esterase on aerobic methane release from plant
D Bruhn1, T N Mikkelsen, J Obro
1Ecosystems Programme, Biosystems Division, Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, Technical University of Denmark, Roskilde, Denmark. dabr@risoe.dtu.dk
Abstract:
This study examines the effects of different irradiance types on aerobic methane (CH(4)) efflux rates from terrestrial plant material. Furthermore, the role of the enzyme pectin methyl esterase (PME) on CH(4) efflux potential was also examined. Different types of plant tissue and purified pectin were incubated in glass vials with different combinations of irradiation and/or temperature. Purified dry pectin was incubated in solution, and with or without PME. Before and after incubation, the concentration of CH(4) was measured with a gas chromatograph. Rates of CH(4) emission were found to depend exponentially on temperature and linearly on UV-B irradiance. UV-B had a greater stimulating effect than UV-A, while visible light had no effect on emission rates. PME was found to substantially reduce the potential for aerobic CH(4) emissions upon demethylation of pectin.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Microbes and Methanogenesis
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature
Microbes and Climate Change
Microbial Spoilage of Food

