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Updated: Oct 30, 2025

Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
Published on: January 31, 2025
Protein biomethanation: insight into the microbial nexus
Zhenmin Ling1, Nandini Thakur2, Marwa M El-Dalatony1
1MOE, Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu Province, PR China.
Abstract:
Biomethanation of carbohydrates (e.g., lignocellulosic biomass) and lipids (e.g., waste oils) has been well studied. However, investigations on the biomethanation of protein-rich biowastes (PRBs) and associated microbial communities have not been reported. This review summarizes the challenges in the metabolic process of anaerobic digestion of PRBs and the microbial instability associated with it. We discuss the diversity of bacterial and archaeal communities via metagenomics under PRB mono- and codigestion. A stable community structure with enhanced metabolic activity is a core factor in PRB biomethanation. The application of strategies such as codigestion of PRBs with carbon-rich biomass and microbial stimulation/augmentation would make PRB biomethanation more feasible.
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