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Electrochemical control of redox potential affects methanogenesis of the hydrogenotrophic methanogen
S Hirano1, N Matsumoto, M Morita
1Biotechnology Sector, Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Abiko, Japan. s-hirano@criepi.denken.or.jp
Abstract:
To investigate the precise effect of the redox potential on the methanogenesis of the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus by using an electrochemical redox controlling system without adding oxidizing or reducing agents. A bioelectrochemical system was applied to control the redox conditions in culture and to measure the methane-producing activity of M. thermautotrophicus at a constant potential from +0·2 to -0·8 V (vs Ag/AgCl). Methane production and growth of M. thermautotrophicus were 1·6 and 3·5 times increased at -0·8 V, compared with control experiments without electrolysis, respectively, while methanogenesis was suppressed between +0·2 and -0·2 V. A clear relationship between an electrochemically regulated redox potential and methanogenesis was revealed.
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