1
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Xu P, Liu H, Liu C, Zhu G. Syntrophic methane production from volatile fatty acids: Focus on interspecies electron transfer. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174410. [PMID: 38960157 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Methane is a renewable biomass energy source produced via anaerobic digestion (AD). Interspecies electron transfer (IET) between methanogens and syntrophic bacteria is crucial for mitigating energy barriers in this process. Understanding IET is essential for enhancing the efficiency of syntrophic methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion. Interspecies electron transfer mechanisms include interspecies H2/formate transfer, direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), and electron-shuttle-mediated transfer. This review summarizes the mechanisms, developments, and research gaps in IET pathways. Interspecies H2/formate transfer requires strict control of low H2 partial pressure and involves complex enzymatic reactions. In contrast, DIET enhances the electron transfer efficiency and process stability. Conductive materials and key microorganisms can be modulated to stimulate the DIET. Electron shuttles (ES) allow microorganisms to interact with extracellular electron acceptors without direct contact; however, their efficiency depends on various factors. Future studies should elucidate the key functional groups, metabolic pathways, and regulatory mechanisms of IET to guide the optimization of AD processes for efficient renewable energy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panhui Xu
- School of Chemistry and Life Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
| | - Haichen Liu
- Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., 200080, China
| | - Chong Liu
- The 101 Research Institute, Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100070, China.
| | - Gefu Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Life Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
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2
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Doloman A, Sousa DZ. Mechanisms of microbial co-aggregation in mixed anaerobic cultures. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:407. [PMID: 38963458 PMCID: PMC11224092 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13246-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Co-aggregation of anaerobic microorganisms into suspended microbial biofilms (aggregates) serves ecological and biotechnological functions. Tightly packed aggregates of metabolically interdependent bacteria and archaea play key roles in cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Additionally, in biotechnological applications, such as wastewater treatment, microbial aggregates provide a complete metabolic network to convert complex organic material. Currently, experimental data explaining the mechanisms behind microbial co-aggregation in anoxic environments is scarce and scattered across the literature. To what extent does this process resemble co-aggregation in aerobic environments? Does the limited availability of terminal electron acceptors drive mutualistic microbial relationships, contrary to the commensal relationships observed in oxygen-rich environments? And do co-aggregating bacteria and archaea, which depend on each other to harvest the bare minimum Gibbs energy from energy-poor substrates, use similar cellular mechanisms as those used by pathogenic bacteria that form biofilms? Here, we provide an overview of the current understanding of why and how mixed anaerobic microbial communities co-aggregate and discuss potential future scientific advancements that could improve the study of anaerobic suspended aggregates. KEY POINTS: • Metabolic dependency promotes aggregation of anaerobic bacteria and archaea • Flagella, pili, and adhesins play a role in the formation of anaerobic aggregates • Cyclic di-GMP/AMP signaling may trigger the polysaccharides production in anaerobes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Doloman
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Diana Z Sousa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Living Technologies, Eindhoven-Wageningen-Utrecht Alliance, Princetonlaan 6, 3584 CB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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3
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Akram J, Song C, El-Mashad HM, Chen C, Zhang R, Liu G. Advances in microbial community, mechanisms and stimulation effects of direct interspecies electron transfer in anaerobic digestion. Biotechnol Adv 2024:108398. [PMID: 38914350 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been proven to be an effective green technology for producing biomethane while reducing environmental pollution. The interspecies electron transfer (IET) processes in AD are critical for acetogenesis and methanogenesis, and these IET processes are carried out via mediated interspecies electron transfer (MIET) and direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). The latter has recently become a topic of significant interest, considering its potential to allow diffusion-free electron transfer during the AD process steps. To date, different multi-heme c-type cytochromes, electrically conductive pili (e-pili), and other relevant accessories during DIET between microorganisms of different natures have been reported. Additionally, several studies have been carried out on metagenomics and metatranscriptomics for better detection of DIET, the role of DIET's stimulation in alleviating stressed conditions, such as high organic loading rates (OLR) and lower pH, and the stimulation mechanisms of DIET in mixed cultures and co-cultures by various conductive materials. Keeping in view this significant research progress, this study provides in-depth insights into the DIET-active microbial community, DIET mechanisms of different species, utilization of various approaches for stimulating DIET, characterization approaches for effectively detecting DIET, and potential future research directions. All these can help accelerate the field's research progress, enable a better understanding of DIET in complex microbial communities, and allow its utilization to alleviate various inhibitions in complex AD processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jehangir Akram
- College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Chao Song
- College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hamed M El-Mashad
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Chang Chen
- College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
| | - Ruihong Zhang
- Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
| | - Guangqing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China.
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4
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Guo M, Wei S, Guo M, Li M, Qi X, Wang Y, Jia X. Potential mechanisms of propionate degradation and methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion coupled with microbial electrolysis cell system: Importance of biocathode. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 400:130695. [PMID: 38614147 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) have the potential for enhancing the efficiency of anaerobic digestion (AD). In this study, microbiological and metabolic pathways in the biocathode of anaerobic digestion coupled with microbial electrolysis cells system (AD-MEC) were revealed to separate bioanode. The biocathode efficiently degraded 90 % propionate within 48 h, leading to a methane production rate of 3222 mL·m-2·d-1. The protein and heme-rich cathodic biofilm enhanced redox capacity and facilitated interspecies electron transfer. Key acid-degrading bacteria, including Dechloromonas agitata, Ignavibacteriales bacterium UTCHB2, and Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans, along with functional proteins such as cytochrome c and e-pili, established mutualistic relationships with Methanothrix soehngenii. This synergy facilitated a multi-pathway metabolic process that converted acetate and CO2 into methane. The study sheds light on the intricate microbial dynamics within the biocathode, suggesting promising prospects for the scalable integration of AD-MEC and its potential in sustainable energy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Guo
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Food Chain Pollution Control, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Sijia Wei
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Food Chain Pollution Control, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - MeiXin Guo
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Food Chain Pollution Control, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Mingxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Xuejiao Qi
- Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Yong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Xuan Jia
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Food Chain Pollution Control, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China.
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5
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Gupta D, Chen K, Elliott SJ, Nayak DD. MmcA is an electron conduit that facilitates both intracellular and extracellular electron transport in Methanosarcina acetivorans. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3300. [PMID: 38632227 PMCID: PMC11024163 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47564-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Methanogens are a diverse group of Archaea that obligately couple energy conservation to the production of methane. Some methanogens encode alternate pathways for energy conservation, like anaerobic respiration, but the biochemical details of this process are unknown. We show that a multiheme c-type cytochrome called MmcA from Methanosarcina acetivorans is important for intracellular electron transport during methanogenesis and can also reduce extracellular electron acceptors like soluble Fe3+ and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate. Consistent with these observations, MmcA displays reversible redox features ranging from -100 to -450 mV versus SHE. Additionally, mutants lacking mmcA have significantly slower Fe3+ reduction rates. The mmcA locus is prevalent in members of the Order Methanosarcinales and is a part of a distinct clade of multiheme cytochromes that are closely related to octaheme tetrathionate reductases. Taken together, MmcA might act as an electron conduit that can potentially support a variety of energy conservation strategies that extend beyond methanogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh Gupta
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Keying Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sean J Elliott
- Department of Chemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dipti D Nayak
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Harnisch F, Deutzmann JS, Boto ST, Rosenbaum MA. Microbial electrosynthesis: opportunities for microbial pure cultures. Trends Biotechnol 2024:S0167-7799(24)00033-7. [PMID: 38431514 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an emerging technology that couples renewable electricity to microbial production processes. Although advances in MES performance have been driven largely by microbial mixed cultures, we see a great limitation in the diversity, and hence value, of products that can be achieved in undefined mixed cultures. By contrast, metabolic control of pure cultures and genetic engineering could greatly expand the scope of MES, and even of broader electrobiotechnology, to include targeted high-value products. To leverage this potential, we advocate for more efforts and activities to develop engineered electroactive microbes for synthesis, and we highlight the need for a standardized electrobioreactor infrastructure that allows the establishment and engineering of electrobioprocesses with these novel biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Harnisch
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg S Deutzmann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Santiago T Boto
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Adolf Reichwein Strasse 23, 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Adolf Reichwein Strasse 23, 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743 Jena, Germany.
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7
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Holmes DE, Woodard TL, Smith JA, Musat F, Lovley DR. Electrobiocorrosion by microbes without outer-surface cytochromes. MLIFE 2024; 3:110-118. [PMID: 38827509 PMCID: PMC11139208 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic microbial corrosion of iron-containing metals causes extensive economic damage. Some microbes are capable of direct metal-to-microbe electron transfer (electrobiocorrosion), but the prevalence of electrobiocorrosion among diverse methanogens and acetogens is poorly understood because of a lack of tools for their genetic manipulation. Previous studies have suggested that respiration with 316L stainless steel as the electron donor is indicative of electrobiocorrosion, because, unlike pure Fe0, 316L stainless steel does not abiotically generate H2 as an intermediary electron carrier. Here, we report that all of the methanogens (Methanosarcina vacuolata, Methanothrix soehngenii, and Methanobacterium strain IM1) and acetogens (Sporomusa ovata and Clostridium ljungdahlii) evaluated respired with pure Fe0 as the electron donor, but only M. vacuolata, Mx. soehngenii, and S. ovata were capable of stainless steel electrobiocorrosion. The electrobiocorrosive methanogens required acetate as an additional energy source in order to produce methane from stainless steel. Cocultures of S. ovata and Mx. soehngenii demonstrated how acetogens can provide acetate to methanogens during corrosion. Not only was Methanobacterium strain IM1 not capable of electrobiocorrosion, but it also did not accept electrons from Geobacter metallireducens, an effective electron-donating partner for direct interspecies electron transfer to all methanogens that can directly accept electrons from Fe0. The finding that M. vacuolata, Mx. soehngenii, and S. ovata are capable of electrobiocorrosion, despite a lack of the outer-surface c-type cytochromes previously found to be important in other electrobiocorrosive microbes, demonstrates that there are multiple microbial strategies for making electrical contact with Fe0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn E. Holmes
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Physical and Biological ScienceWestern New England UniversitySpringfieldMassachusettsUSA
| | - Trevor L. Woodard
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jessica A. Smith
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesCentral Connecticut State UniversityNew BritainConnecticutUSA
| | - Florin Musat
- Department of Biology, Section for MicrobiologyAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and GeologyBabeş‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
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8
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Liu H, Zeng Y, Chen W, Liu C, Sun D, Hu Z, Li P, Xu H, Wu H, Qiu B, Liu X, Dang Y. Effect of different hydrogen evolution rates at cathode on bioelectrochemical reduction of CO 2 to acetate. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:169744. [PMID: 38176559 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) offers a promising approach for converting CO2 into valuable chemicals such as acetate. However, the relative low conversion rate severely limits its practical application. This study investigated the impact of different hydrogen evolution rates on the conversion rate of CO2 to acetate in the MES system. Three potentials (-0.8 V, -0.9 V and -1.0 V) corresponding to various hydrogen evolution rates were set and analyzed, revealing an optimal hydrogen evolution rate, yielding a maximum acetate formation rate of 1410.9 mg/L and 73.5 % coulomb efficiency. The electrochemical findings revealed that an optimal hydrogen evolution rate facilitated the formation of an electroactive biofilm. The microbial community of the cathode biofilm highlighted key genera, including Clostridium and Acetobacterium, which played essential roles in electrosynthesis within the MES system. Notably, a low hydrogen evolution rate failed to provide sufficient energy for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to acetate, while a high rate led to cathode alkalinization, impeding the reaction and causing significant energy wastage. Therefore, maintaining an appropriate hydrogen evolution rate is crucial for the development of mature electroactive biofilms and achieving optimal performance in the MES system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanying Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yiwei Zeng
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wenwen Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Chuanqi Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dezhi Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhen Hu
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
| | - Pengsong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Haiyu Xu
- Qinglin Chuangneng (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Hongbin Wu
- Qinglin Chuangneng (Shanghai) Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Bin Qiu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xinying Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yan Dang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
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9
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Li S, Kim M, Song YE, Hwan Son S, Kim HI, Jae J, Yan Q, Fei Q, Kim JR. Housing of electrosynthetic biofilms using a roll-up carbon veil electrode increases CO 2 conversion and faradaic efficiency in microbial electrosynthesis cells. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 393:130157. [PMID: 38065517 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Electrode-driven microbial electron transfer enables the conversion of CO2 into multi-carbon compounds. The electrosynthetic biofilms grow slowly on the surface and are highly susceptible to operational influences, such as hydrodynamic shear stress. In this study, a cylindrical roll-up carbon felt electrode was developed as a novel strategy to protect biofilms from shear stress within the reactor. The fabricated electrode allowed hydrogen bubble formation inside the structure, which enabled microbes to uptake hydrogen and convert CO2 to multi-carbon organic compounds. The roll-up electrode exhibited faster start-up and biofilm formation than the conventional linear shape carbon felt. The acetate yield and cathodic faradaic efficiency increased by 80% and 34%, respectively, and the bioelectrochemical stability was improved significantly. The roll-up structure increased biofilm development per unit electrode surface by three to five-fold. The roll-up configuration improved biofilm formation on the electrode, which enhanced the performance of microbial electrosynthesis-based CO2 valorization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwei Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China; Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 277 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, Shanxi 710061, China
| | - Minsoo Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Eun Song
- Advanced Biofuel and Bioproducts Process Development Unit, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
| | - Sang Hwan Son
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung-Il Kim
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungho Jae
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Qun Yan
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Qiang Fei
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jung Rae Kim
- School of Chemical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Wu ZF, Li ZL, Liu QH, Yang ZM. Magnetite-boosted syntrophic conversion of acetate to methane during thermophilic anaerobic digestion. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2024; 89:160-169. [PMID: 38214992 PMCID: wst_2023_421 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Using a batch thermophilic anaerobic system established with 60 mL serum bottles, the mechanism on how microbial enrichments obtained from magnetite-amended paddy soil via repeated batch cultivation affected methane production from acetate was investigated. Magnetite-amended enrichments (MAEs) can improve the methane production rate rather than the methane yield. Compared with magnetite-unamended enrichments, the methane production rate in MAE was improved by 50%, concomitant with the pronounced electrochemical response, high electron transfer capacity, and fast acetate degradation. The promoting effects might be ascribed to direct interspecies electron transfer facilitated by magnetite, where magnetite might function as electron conduits to link the acetate oxidizers (Anaerolineaceae and Peptococcaceae) with methanogens (Methanosarcinaceae). The findings demonstrated the potential application of MAE for boosting methanogenic performance during thermophilic anaerobic digestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Fan Wu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, College of Environmental and Resource Science, College of Carbon Neutral Modern Industry, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China; These authors contributed equally to this work. E-mail:
| | - Zhao-Long Li
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou, China; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Qing-Hua Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Man Yang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, College of Environmental and Resource Science, College of Carbon Neutral Modern Industry, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
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11
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Yee MO, Ottosen LDM, Rotaru A. Electrical current disrupts the electron transfer in defined consortia. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14373. [PMID: 38070192 PMCID: PMC10832552 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Improving methane production through electrical current application to anaerobic digesters has garnered interest in optimizing such microbial electrochemical technologies, with claims suggesting direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) at the cathode enhances methane yield. However, previous studies with mixed microbial communities only reported interspecies interactions based on species co-occurrence at the cathode, lacking insight into how a poised cathode influences well-defined DIET-based partnerships. To address this, we investigated the impact of continuous and discontinuous exposure to a poised cathode (-0.7 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode) on a defined consortium of Geobacter metallireducens and Methanosarcina barkeri, known for their DIET capabilities. The physiology of DIET consortia exposed to electrical current was compared to that of unexposed consortia. In current-exposed incubations, overall metabolic activity and cell numbers for both partners declined. The consortium, receiving electrons from the poised cathode, accumulated acetate and hydrogen, with only 32% of the recovered electrons allocated to methane production. Discontinuous exposure intensified these detrimental effects. Conversely, unexposed control reactors efficiently converted ethanol to methane, transiently accumulating acetate and recovering 88% of electrons in methane. Our results demonstrate the overall detrimental effect of electrochemical stimulation on a DIET consortium. Besides, the data indicate that the presence of an alternative electron donor (cathode) hinders efficient electron retrieval by the methanogen from Geobacter, and induces catabolic repression of oxidative metabolism in Geobacter. This study emphasizes understanding specific DIET-based interactions to enhance methane production during electrical stimulation, providing insights for optimizing tailored interspecies partnerships in microbial electrochemical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mon Oo Yee
- Nordcee, Department of BiologyUniversity of Southern DenmarkOdenseDenmark
- Nature EnergyOdenseDenmark
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12
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Song Y, Huang R, Li L, Du K, Zhu F, Song C, Yuan X, Wang M, Wang S, Ferry JG, Zhou S, Yan Z. Humic acid-dependent respiratory growth of Methanosarcina acetivorans involves pyrroloquinoline quinone. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:2103-2111. [PMID: 37737251 PMCID: PMC10579383 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01520-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Although microbial humus respiration plays a critical role in organic matter decomposition and biogeochemical cycling of elements in diverse anoxic environments, the role of methane-producing species (methanogens) is not well defined. Here we report that a major fraction of humus, humic acid reduction enhanced the growth of Methanosarcina acetivorans above that attributed to methanogenesis when utilizing the energy sources methanol or acetate, results which showed both respiratory and fermentative modes of energy conservation. Growth characteristics with methanol were the same for an identically cultured mutant deleted for the gene encoding a multi-heme cytochrome c (MmcA), results indicating MmcA is not essential for respiratory electron transport to humic acid. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that growth with humic acid promoted the upregulation of genes annotated as cell surface pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-binding proteins. Furthermore, PQQ isolated from the membrane fraction was more abundant in humic acid-respiring cells, and the addition of PQQ improved efficiency of the extracellular electron transport. Given that the PQQ-binding proteins are widely distributed in methanogens, the findings extend current understanding of microbial humus respiration in the context of global methane dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxu Song
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Rui Huang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, China
| | - Kaifeng Du
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Fanping Zhu
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Chao Song
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Xianzheng Yuan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China
| | - Mingyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Microbial Technology Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, Shandong, China.
| | - Shuguang Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
| | - James G Ferry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Shungui Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Zhen Yan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, China.
- Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
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13
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Jung H, Yu H, Lee C. Direct interspecies electron transfer enables anaerobic oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur coupled with CO 2-reducing methanogenesis. iScience 2023; 26:107504. [PMID: 37636045 PMCID: PMC10448109 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Electric syntrophy between fatty acid oxidizers and methanogens through direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) is essential for balancing acidogenesis and methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion. Promoting DIET using electrically conductive additives proved effective in enhancing methanogenesis; however, its possibility to affect other microbial redox reactions in methanogenic systems has been little studied. This study provides the first confirmation of the electro-syntrophic coupling of sulfide oxidation to S0 with CO2-reducing methanogenesis in sulfur-rich methanogenic cultures supplemented with conductive magnetite (100-700-nm particle size). The H2S content in biogas, initially exceeding 5000 ppmv, decreased to below 1 ppmv along with an accumulation of extracellular S0 (60-70 mg/L; initially <1 mg/L) at a magnetite dose of 20 mM Fe, while there were no significant changes in methane yield. A comprehensive polyphasic approach demonstrated that the S0 formation occurs through electro-syntrophic oxidation of sulfide coupled with CO2-reducing methanogenesis, involving Methanothrix as the dominant methanogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejung Jung
- Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeonjung Yu
- Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Changsoo Lee
- Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
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14
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Zhou J, Smith JA, Li M, Holmes DE. Methane production by Methanothrix thermoacetophila via direct interspecies electron transfer with Geobacter metallireducens. mBio 2023; 14:e0036023. [PMID: 37306514 PMCID: PMC10470525 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00360-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Methanothrix is widely distributed in natural and artificial anoxic environments and plays a major role in global methane emissions. It is one of only two genera that can form methane from acetate dismutation and through participation in direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) with exoelectrogens. Although Methanothrix is a significant member of many methanogenic communities, little is known about its physiology. In this study, transcriptomics helped to identify potential routes of electron transfer during DIET between Geobacter metallireducens and Methanothrix thermoacetophila. Additions of magnetite to cultures significantly enhanced growth by acetoclastic methanogenesis and by DIET, while granular activated carbon (GAC) amendments impaired growth. Transcriptomics suggested that the OmaF-OmbF-OmcF porin complex and the octaheme outer membrane c-type cytochrome encoded by Gmet_0930, were important for electron transport across the outer membrane of G. metallireducens during DIET with Mx. thermoacetophila. Clear differences in the metabolism of Mx. thermoacetophila when grown via DIET or acetate dismutation were not apparent. However, genes coding for proteins involved in carbon fixation, the sheath fiber protein MspA, and a surface-associated quinoprotein, SqpA, were highly expressed in all conditions. Expression of gas vesicle genes was significantly lower in DIET- than acetate-grown cells, possibly to facilitate better contact between membrane-associated redox proteins during DIET. These studies reveal potential electron transfer mechanisms utilized by both Geobacter and Methanothrix during DIET and provide important insights into the physiology of Methanothrix in anoxic environments. IMPORTANCE Methanothrix is a significant methane producer in a variety of methanogenic environments including soils and sediments as well as anaerobic digesters. Its abundance in these anoxic environments has mostly been attributed to its high affinity for acetate and its ability to grow by acetoclastic methanogenesis. However, Methanothrix species can also generate methane by directly accepting electrons from exoelectrogenic bacteria through direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). Methane production through DIET is likely to further increase their contribution to methane production in natural and artificial environments. Therefore, acquiring a better understanding of DIET with Methanothrix will help shed light on ways to (i) minimize microbial methane production in natural terrestrial environments and (ii) maximize biogas formation by anaerobic digesters treating waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjie Zhou
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts‐Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jessica A. Smith
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts‐Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Archaeal Biology Center, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Dawn E. Holmes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts‐Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical and Biological Science, Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
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15
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Smith JA, Holmes DE, Woodard TL, Li Y, Liu X, Wang LY, Meier D, Schwarz IA, Lovley DR. Detrimental impact of the Geobacter metallireducens type VI secretion system on direct interspecies electron transfer. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0094123. [PMID: 37650614 PMCID: PMC10580878 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00941-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) is important in anaerobic communities of environmental and practical significance. Other than the need for close physical contact for electrical connections, the interactions of DIET partners are poorly understood. Type VI secretion systems (T6SSs) typically kill competitive microbes. Surprisingly, Geobacter metallireducens highly expressed T6SS genes when DIET-based co-cultures were initiated with Geobacter sulfurreducens. T6SS gene expression was lower when the electron shuttle anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate was added to alleviate the need for interspecies contact. Disruption of hcp, the G. metallireducens gene for the main T6SS needle-tube protein subunit, and the most highly upregulated gene in DIET-grown cells eliminated the long lag periods required for the initiation of DIET. The mutation did not aid DIET in the presence of granular-activated carbon (GAC), consistent with the fact that DIET partners do not make physical contact when electrically connected through conductive materials. The hcp-deficient mutant also established DIET quicker with Methanosarcina barkeri. However, the mutant also reduced Fe(III) oxide faster than the wild-type strain, a phenotype not expected from the loss of the T6SS. Quantitative PCR revealed greater gene transcript abundance for key components of extracellular electron transfer in the hcp-deficient mutant versus the wild-type strain, potentially accounting for the faster Fe(III) oxide reduction and impact on DIET. The results highlight that interspecies interactions beyond electrical connections may influence DIET effectiveness. The unexpected increase in the expression of genes for extracellular electron transport components when hcp was deleted emphasizes the complexities in evaluating the electromicrobiology of highly adaptable Geobacter species. IMPORTANCE Direct interspecies electron transfer is an alternative to the much more intensively studied process of interspecies H2 transfer as a mechanism for microbes to share electrons during the cooperative metabolism of energy sources. DIET is an important process in anaerobic soils and sediments generating methane, a significant greenhouse gas. Facilitating DIET can accelerate and stabilize the conversion of organic wastes to methane biofuel in anaerobic digesters. Therefore, a better understanding of the factors controlling how fast DIET partnerships are established is expected to lead to new strategies for promoting this bioenergy process. The finding that when co-cultured with G. sulfurreducens, G. metallireducens initially expressed a type VI secretion system, a behavior not conducive to interspecies cooperation, illustrates the complexity of establishing syntrophic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Smith
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut, USA
| | - Dawn E. Holmes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trevor L. Woodard
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinying Liu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Ying Wang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Meier
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ingrid A. Schwarz
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, Connecticut, USA
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Morrill IV N Science Center, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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16
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Li J, Xu X, Chen C, Xu L, Du Z, Gu L, Xiang P, Shi D, Huangfu X, Liu F. Conductive materials enhance microbial salt-tolerance in anaerobic digestion of food waste: Microbial response and metagenomics analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 227:115779. [PMID: 36967003 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that high salinity environments can inhibit anaerobic digestion (AD) of food waste (FW). Finding ways to alleviate salt inhibition is important for the disposal of the growing amount of FW. We selected three common conductive materials (powdered activated carbon, magnetite, and graphite) to understand their performance and individual mechanisms that relieve salinity inhibition. Digester performances and related enzyme parameters were compared. Our data revealed that under normal and low salinity stress conditions, the anaerobic digester ran steady without significant inhibitions. Further, the presence of conductive materials promoted conversion rate of methanogenesis. This promotion effect was highest from magnetite > powdered activated carbon (PAC) > graphite. At 1.5% salinity, PAC and magnetite are beneficial in maintaining high methane production efficiency while control and the graphite added digester acidified and failed rapidly. Additionally, metagenomics and binning were used to analyze the metabolic capacity of the microorganisms. Some species enriched by PAC and magnetite possessed higher cation transport capacities and were to accumulate compatible solutes. PAC and magnetite promoted direct interspecies electron transference (DIET) and syntrophic oxidation of butyrate and propionate. Also, the microorganisms had more energy available to cope with salt inhibition in the PAC and magnetite added digesters. Our data imply that the promotion of Na+/H+ antiporter, K+ uptake, and osmoprotectant synthesis or transport by conductive materials may be crucial for their proliferation in highly stressful environments. These findings will help to understand the mechanisms of alleviate salt inhibition by conductive materials and help to recover methane from high-salinity FW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhao Li
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environments, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 174 Shapingba Road, 400045, PR China
| | - Xiaofeng Xu
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environments, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 174 Shapingba Road, 400045, PR China
| | - Cong Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environments, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 174 Shapingba Road, 400045, PR China
| | - Linji Xu
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environments, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 174 Shapingba Road, 400045, PR China
| | - Zexuan Du
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environments, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 174 Shapingba Road, 400045, PR China
| | - Li Gu
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environments, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 174 Shapingba Road, 400045, PR China.
| | - Ping Xiang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environments, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 174 Shapingba Road, 400045, PR China.
| | - Dezhi Shi
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environments, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 174 Shapingba Road, 400045, PR China
| | - Xiaoliu Huangfu
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environments, Ministry of Education, Institute of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 174 Shapingba Road, 400045, PR China
| | - Feng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Regions, Changsha Research Station for Agricultural & Environmental Monitoring, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hunan, 410125, PR China
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17
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Zehnle H, Laso-Pérez R, Lipp J, Riedel D, Benito Merino D, Teske A, Wegener G. Candidatus Alkanophaga archaea from Guaymas Basin hydrothermal vent sediment oxidize petroleum alkanes. Nat Microbiol 2023:10.1038/s41564-023-01400-3. [PMID: 37264141 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01400-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Methanogenic and methanotrophic archaea produce and consume the greenhouse gas methane, respectively, using the reversible enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase (Mcr). Recently, Mcr variants that can activate multicarbon alkanes have been recovered from archaeal enrichment cultures. These enzymes, called alkyl-coenzyme M reductase (Acrs), are widespread in the environment but remain poorly understood. Here we produced anoxic cultures degrading mid-chain petroleum n-alkanes between pentane (C5) and tetradecane (C14) at 70 °C using oil-rich Guaymas Basin sediments. In these cultures, archaea of the genus Candidatus Alkanophaga activate the alkanes with Acrs and completely oxidize the alkyl groups to CO2. Ca. Alkanophaga form a deep-branching sister clade to the methanotrophs ANME-1 and are closely related to the short-chain alkane oxidizers Ca. Syntrophoarchaeum. Incapable of sulfate reduction, Ca. Alkanophaga shuttle electrons released from alkane oxidation to the sulfate-reducing Ca. Thermodesulfobacterium syntrophicum. These syntrophic consortia are potential key players in petroleum degradation in heated oil reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Zehnle
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany.
- MARUM, Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
- Faculty of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Rafael Laso-Pérez
- MARUM, Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- Systems Biology Department, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology Department, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julius Lipp
- MARUM, Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Dietmar Riedel
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - David Benito Merino
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Andreas Teske
- Department of Earth, Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Gunter Wegener
- Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany.
- MARUM, Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
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18
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Yan Y, Zhang J, Tian L, Yan X, Du L, Leininger A, Zhang M, Li N, Ren ZJ, Wang X. DIET-like mutualism of Geobacter and methanogens at specific electrode potential boosts production of both methane and hydrogen from propionate. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 235:119911. [PMID: 36989806 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) has been demonstrated to be an efficient type of mutualism in methanogenesis. However, few studies have reported its presence in mixed microbial communities and its trigger mechanism in the natural environment and engineered systems. Here, we reported DIET-like mutualism of Geobacter and methanogens in the planktonic microbiome for the first time in anaerobic electrochemical digestion (AED) fed with propionate, potentially triggered by excessive cathodic hydrogen (56 times higher than the lowest) under the electrochemical condition. In contrast with model prediction without DIET, the highest current density and hydrogen and methane production were concurrently observed at -0.2 V where an abundance of Geobacter (49%) and extracellular electron transfer genes were identified in the planktonic microbiome via metagenomic analysis. Metagenomic assembly genomes annotated to Geobacter anodireducens were identified alongside two methanogens, Methanothrix harundinacea and Methanosarcina mazei, which were previously identified to participate in DIET. This discovery revealed that DIET-like mutualism could be triggered without external conductive materials, highlighting its potentially ubiquitous presence. Such mutualism simultaneously boosted methane and hydrogen production, thereby demonstrating the potential of AED in engineering applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China; Deptartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, 41 Olden St. Princeton, NJ 08540, USA; Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, 41 Olden St. Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Jiayao Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lili Tian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xuejun Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lin Du
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Aaron Leininger
- Deptartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, 41 Olden St. Princeton, NJ 08540, USA; Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, 41 Olden St. Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Mou Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Nan Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 35 Yaguan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Zhiyong Jason Ren
- Deptartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, 41 Olden St. Princeton, NJ 08540, USA; Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, 41 Olden St. Princeton, NJ 08540, USA.
| | - Xin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China.
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19
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Hwang Y, Roux S, Coclet C, Krause SJE, Girguis PR. Viruses interact with hosts that span distantly related microbial domains in dense hydrothermal mats. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:946-957. [PMID: 37024618 PMCID: PMC10159854 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01347-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Many microbes in nature reside in dense, metabolically interdependent communities. We investigated the nature and extent of microbe-virus interactions in relation to microbial density and syntrophy by examining microbe-virus interactions in a biomass dense, deep-sea hydrothermal mat. Using metagenomic sequencing, we find numerous instances where phylogenetically distant (up to domain level) microbes encode CRISPR-based immunity against the same viruses in the mat. Evidence of viral interactions with hosts cross-cutting microbial domains is particularly striking between known syntrophic partners, for example those engaged in anaerobic methanotrophy. These patterns are corroborated by proximity-ligation-based (Hi-C) inference. Surveys of public datasets reveal additional viruses interacting with hosts across domains in diverse ecosystems known to harbour syntrophic biofilms. We propose that the entry of viral particles and/or DNA to non-primary host cells may be a common phenomenon in densely populated ecosystems, with eco-evolutionary implications for syntrophic microbes and CRISPR-mediated inter-population augmentation of resilience against viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunha Hwang
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Simon Roux
- DOE (Department of Energy) Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Clément Coclet
- DOE (Department of Energy) Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sebastian J E Krause
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peter R Girguis
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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20
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Verma M, Singh V, Mishra V. Moving towards the enhancement of extracellular electron transfer in electrogens. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:130. [PMID: 36959310 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03582-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Electrogens are very common in nature and becoming a contemporary theme for research as they can be exploited for extracellular electron transfer. Extracellular electron transfer is the key mechanism behind bioelectricity generation and bioremediation of pollutants via microbes. Extracellular electron transfer mechanisms for electrogens other than Shewanella and Geobacter are less explored. An efficient extracellular electron transfer system is crucial for the sustainable future of bioelectrochemical systems. At present, the poor extracellular electron transfer efficiency remains a decisive factor in limiting the development of efficient bioelectrochemical systems. In this review article, the EET mechanisms in different electrogens (bacteria and yeast) have been focused. Apart from the well-known electron transfer mechanisms of Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter metallireducens, a brief introduction of the EET pathway in Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1, Sideroxydans lithotrophicus ES-1, Thermincola potens JR, Lysinibacillus varians GY32, Carboxydothermus ferrireducens, Enterococcus faecalis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been included. In addition to this, the article discusses the several approaches to anode modification and genetic engineering that may be used in order to increase the rate of extracellular electron transfer. In the side lines, this review includes the engagement of the electrogens for different applications followed by the future perspective of efficient extracellular electron transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Verma
- School of Biochemical Engineering, IIT (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Vishal Singh
- School of Biochemical Engineering, IIT (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India
| | - Vishal Mishra
- School of Biochemical Engineering, IIT (BHU), 221005, Varanasi, India.
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21
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Wang ZK, Liu QH, Yang ZM. Nano magnetite-loaded biochar boosted methanogenesis through shifting microbial community composition and modulating electron transfer. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 861:160597. [PMID: 36464047 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A batch anaerobic fermentation system was employed to clarify how nano magnetite-loaded biochar can improve methanogenic performance of the propionate-degrading consortia (PDC). The nano magnetite-loaded biochar was prepared in a sequential hydrothermal and pyrolysis procedure using the household waste (HW), biogas residue (BR) and Fe (NO3)3 as pristine materials. Comprehensive characterization showed that the nano magnetite-loaded biochar ameliorated the biochar properties with large specific surface area, high electrochemical response and low electron transfer resistance. PDC supplemented with the magnetite/BR-originated biochar composites displayed excellent methanogenic performance, where the methane production rate was enhanced by 1.6-fold compared with the control. The nano magnetite-loaded biochar promoted methane production probably by promoting direct interspecies electron transfer between syntrophic bacteria (e.g., Syntrophobacter and Thauera) and their partners (e.g., Methanosaeta). In this process, magnetite might be responsible for triggering rapidly extracellular electron release, whereas both external functional groups and intrinsic graphitic matrices of biochar might work as electron bridges for electron transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Kai Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, College of Carbon Neutral Modern Industry, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China; Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, China
| | - Qing-Hua Liu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, College of Carbon Neutral Modern Industry, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China; College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Man Yang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, College of Carbon Neutral Modern Industry, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.
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22
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Hou R, Lu S, Chen S, Dou W, Liu G. The corrosion of 316L stainless steel induced by methanocossus mariplaudis through indirect electron transfer in seawater. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 149:108310. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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23
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Dzofou Ngoumelah D, Harnisch F, Sulheim S, Heggeset TMB, Aune IH, Wentzel A, Kretzschmar J. A unified and simple medium for growing model methanogens. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1046260. [PMID: 36704566 PMCID: PMC9871610 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1046260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Apart from their archetypic use in anaerobic digestion (AD) methanogenic archaea are targeted for a wide range of applications. Using different methanogenic archaea for one specific application requires the optimization of culture media to enable the growth of different strains under identical environmental conditions, e.g., in microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) for (bio)electromethanation. Here we present a new culture medium (BFS01) adapted from the DSM-120 medium by omitting resazurin, yeast extract, casitone, and using a low salt concentration, that was optimized for Methanosarcina barkeri, Methanobacterium formicicum, and Methanothrix soehngenii. The aim was to provide a medium for follow-up co-culture studies using specific methanogens and Geobacter spp. dominated biofilm anodes. All three methanogens showed growth and activity in the BFS01 medium. This was demonstrated by estimating the specific growth rates ( μ ) and doubling times ( t d ) of each methanogen. The μ and t d based on methane accumulation in the headspace showed values consistent with literature values for M. barkeri and M. soehngenii. However, μ and t d based on methane accumulation in the headspace differed from literature data for M. formicicum but still allowed sufficient growth. The lowered salt concentration and the omission of chemically complex organic components in the medium may have led to the observed deviation from μ and t d for M. formicicum as well as the changed morphology. 16S rRNA gene-based amplicon sequencing and whole genome nanopore sequencing further confirmed purity and species identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Dzofou Ngoumelah
- Biochemical Conversion Department, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Leipzig, Germany,Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany,*Correspondence: Falk Harnisch, ✉
| | - Snorre Sulheim
- Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, SINTEF Industry, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Ingvild Haugnes Aune
- Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, SINTEF Industry, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Alexander Wentzel
- Department of Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, SINTEF Industry, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jörg Kretzschmar
- Biochemical Conversion Department, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Leipzig, Germany,Jörg Kretzschmar, ✉
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24
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Huang Y, Cai B, Dong H, Li H, Yuan J, Xu H, Wu H, Xu Z, Sun D, Dang Y, Holmes DE. Enhancing anaerobic digestion of food waste with granular activated carbon immobilized with riboflavin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158172. [PMID: 35988634 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that anaerobic digestion of food waste can be enhanced by addition of conductive materials that stimulate direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between bacteria and methanogens. However, at extremely high organic loading rates (OLRs), volatile fatty acids (VFAs) still tend to accumulate even in the presence of conductive materials because of an imbalance between the formation of fermentation products and the rate of methanogenesis. In this study, granular activated carbon (GAC) immobilized with riboflavin (GAC-riboflavin) was added to an anaerobic digester treating food waste. The GAC-riboflavin reactor operated stably at OLRs as high as 11.5 kgCOD/ (m3·d) and kept VFA concentrations below 69.4 mM, COD removal efficiencies, methane production rates, and biogas methane concentrations were much higher in the GAC-riboflavin reactor than the GAC- and non-amended reactors. Transcripts associated with genes that code for proteins involved in DIET based metabolism were somewhat more highly expressed by Methanothrix in the GAC-riboflavin reactor. However, it is unlikely that riboflavin acted as an electron shuttle to stimulate DIET. Rather, it seemed to provide nutrients that enhanced the growth of microorganisms involved in the anaerobic digestion process, including those that are capable of DIET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhui Huang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Boquan Cai
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - He Dong
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Haoyong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jie Yuan
- Wukong Chuangxiang Techolology Co, Ltd, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Haiyu Xu
- Xinneng Qinglin (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hongbin Wu
- Xinneng Qinglin (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ziyao Xu
- Lingxi Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dezhi Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yan Dang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Dawn E Holmes
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield, MA 01119, USA
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25
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Khesali Aghtaei H, Püttker S, Maus I, Heyer R, Huang L, Sczyrba A, Reichl U, Benndorf D. Adaptation of a microbial community to demand-oriented biological methanation. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2022; 15:125. [PMID: 36384582 PMCID: PMC9670408 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-022-02207-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological conversion of the surplus of renewable electricity and carbon dioxide (CO2) from biogas plants to biomethane (CH4) could support energy storage and strengthen the power grid. Biological methanation (BM) is linked closely to the activity of biogas-producing Bacteria and methanogenic Archaea. During reactor operations, the microbiome is often subject to various changes, e.g., substrate limitation or pH-shifts, whereby the microorganisms are challenged to adapt to the new conditions. In this study, various process parameters including pH value, CH4 production rate, conversion yields and final gas composition were monitored for a hydrogenotrophic-adapted microbial community cultivated in a laboratory-scale BM reactor. To investigate the robustness of the BM process regarding power oscillations, the biogas microbiome was exposed to five hydrogen (H2)-feeding regimes lasting several days. RESULTS Applying various "on-off" H2-feeding regimes, the CH4 production rate recovered quickly, demonstrating a significant resilience of the microbial community. Analyses of the taxonomic composition of the microbiome revealed a high abundance of the bacterial phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidota and Thermotogota followed by hydrogenotrophic Archaea of the phylum Methanobacteriota. Homo-acetogenic and heterotrophic fermenting Bacteria formed a complex food web with methanogens. The abundance of the methanogenic Archaea roughly doubled during discontinuous H2-feeding, which was related mainly to an increase in acetoclastic Methanothrix species. Results also suggested that Bacteria feeding on methanogens could reduce overall CH4 production. On the other hand, using inactive biomass as a substrate could support the growth of methanogenic Archaea. During the BM process, the additional production of H2 by fermenting Bacteria seemed to support the maintenance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens at non-H2-feeding phases. Besides the elusive role of Methanothrix during the H2-feeding phases, acetate consumption and pH maintenance at the non-feeding phase can be assigned to this species. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the high adaptive potential of microbial communities contributes to the robustness of BM processes during discontinuous H2-feeding and supports the commercial use of BM processes for energy storage. Discontinuous feeding strategies could be used to enrich methanogenic Archaea during the establishment of a microbial community for BM. Both findings could contribute to design and improve BM processes from lab to pilot scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoda Khesali Aghtaei
- Bioprocess Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstraße 1, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
- Bioprocess Engineering, Otto Von Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Püttker
- Bioprocess Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstraße 1, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
- Bioprocess Engineering, Otto Von Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Irena Maus
- Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Genome Research of Industrial Microorganisms, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 27, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Institute for Bio- and Geosciences (IBG-5), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428, Jülich, Germany
| | - Robert Heyer
- Database and Software Engineering Group, Otto Von Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
- Faculty of Technology and Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
- Multidimensional Omics Analyses group, Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften - ISAS - e.V., Bunsen-Kirchhoff-Straße 11, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Liren Huang
- Faculty of Technology and Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alexander Sczyrba
- Faculty of Technology and Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Udo Reichl
- Bioprocess Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstraße 1, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
- Bioprocess Engineering, Otto Von Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Benndorf
- Bioprocess Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Sandtorstraße 1, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Bioprocess Engineering, Otto Von Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Applied Biosciences and Process Engineering, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburger Straße 55, Postfach 1458, 06366, Köthen, Germany.
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26
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Hoang AT, Goldfarb JL, Foley AM, Lichtfouse E, Kumar M, Xiao L, Ahmed SF, Said Z, Luque R, Bui VG, Nguyen XP. Production of biochar from crop residues and its application for anaerobic digestion. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127970. [PMID: 36122843 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a viable and cost-effective method for converting organic waste into usable renewable energy. The efficiency of organic waste digestion, nonetheless, is limited due to inhibition and instability. Accordingly, biochar is an effective method for improving the efficiency of AD by adsorbing inhibitors, promoting biogas generation and methane concentration, maintaining process stability, colonizing microorganisms selectively, and mitigating the inhibition of volatile fatty acids and ammonia. This paper reviews the features of crop waste-derived biochar and its application in AD systems. Four critical roles of biochar in AD systems were identified: maintaining pH stability, promoting hydrolysis, enhancing the direct interspecies electron transfer pathway, and supporting microbial development. This work also highlights that the interaction between biochar dose, amount of organic component in the substrate, and inoculum-to-substrate ratio should be the focus of future research before deploying commercial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anh Tuan Hoang
- Institute of Engineering, HUTECH University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
| | - Jillian L Goldfarb
- Cornell University Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Ithaca, NY, United States of America
| | - Aoife M Foley
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Ashby Building, Belfast BT9 5AH, United Kingdom; Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Eric Lichtfouse
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, CEREGE, Avenue Louis Philibert, Aix en Provence 13100, France
| | - Manish Kumar
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248 007, India
| | - Leilei Xiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Shams Forruque Ahmed
- Science and Math Program, Asian University for Women, Chattogram 4000, Bangladesh
| | - Zafar Said
- Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, P. O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Rafael Luque
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Cordoba, Campus de Rabanales, Edificio Marie Curie, Ctra. Nnal. IV-A, Km. 396, E-14014 Cordoba, Spain; Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Str., 117198 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Van Ga Bui
- University of Science and Technology, The University of Da Nang, Da Nang, Viet Nam
| | - Xuan Phuong Nguyen
- PATET Research Group, Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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27
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Holmes DE, Zhou J, Smith JA, Wang C, Liu X, Lovley DR. Different outer membrane c-type cytochromes are involved in direct interspecies electron transfer to Geobacter or Methanosarcina species. MLIFE 2022; 1:272-286. [PMID: 38818222 PMCID: PMC10989804 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) may be most important in methanogenic environments, but mechanistic studies of DIET to date have primarily focused on cocultures in which fumarate was the terminal electron acceptor. To better understand DIET with methanogens, the transcriptome of Geobacter metallireducens during DIET-based growth with G. sulfurreducens reducing fumarate was compared with G. metallireducens grown in coculture with diverse Methanosarcina. The transcriptome of G. metallireducens cocultured with G. sulfurreducens was significantly different from those with Methanosarcina. Furthermore, the transcriptome of G. metallireducens grown with Methanosarcina barkeri, which lacks outer-surface c-type cytochromes, differed from those of G. metallireducens cocultured with M. acetivorans or M. subterranea, which have an outer-surface c-type cytochrome that serves as an electrical connect for DIET. Differences in G. metallireducens expression patterns for genes involved in extracellular electron transfer were particularly notable. Cocultures with c-type cytochrome deletion mutant strains, ∆Gmet_0930, ∆Gmet_0557 and ∆Gmet_2896, never became established with G. sulfurreducens but adapted to grow with all three Methanosarcina. Two porin-cytochrome complexes, PccF and PccG, were important for DIET; however, PccG was more important for growth with Methanosarcina. Unlike cocultures with G. sulfurreducens and M. acetivorans, electrically conductive pili were not needed for growth with M. barkeri. Shewanella oneidensis, another electroactive microbe with abundant outer-surface c-type cytochromes, did not grow via DIET. The results demonstrate that the presence of outer-surface c-type cytochromes does not necessarily confer the capacity for DIET and emphasize the impact of the electron-accepting partner on the physiology of the electron-donating DIET partner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn E. Holmes
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Physical and Biological ScienceWestern New England UniversitySpringfieldMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jinjie Zhou
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Institute for Advanced StudyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenChina
| | - Jessica A. Smith
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesCentral Connecticut State UniversityNew BritainConnecticutUSA
| | - Caiqin Wang
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- College of EnvironmentZhejiang University of TechnologyHangzhouChina
| | - Xinying Liu
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- College of Environmental Science and EngineeringBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
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28
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Zhu R, Zhang Y, Zou H, Zheng Y, Guo RB, Fu SF. Understanding the mechanisms behind enhanced anaerobic digestion of corn straw by humic acids. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 359:127454. [PMID: 35697261 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Humic acids (HAs) are abundant on earth, yet their effects on anaerobic digestion (AD) of cellulosic substrate are not fully uncovered. The effects of HAs on AD of corn straw and the mechanisms behind were analyzed in this study. Results showed that the effects of HAs on methane yield were closely related to the total solids (TS) content. At relative high TS content of 5.0%, HAs benefited AD process by increasing 13.8% of methane yield, accelerating methane production rate by 43% and shortening lag phase time by 37.5%. Microbial community analysis indicated that HAs increased the relative abundance of syntrophic bacteria (Syntrophomonadaceae and Synergistaceae), facilitating the degradation of volatile fatty acids. HAs might act as electron shuttles to directly transfer electrons to hydrogenotrophic methanogens for CO2 reduction to CH4. This study provides a simple and efficient strategy to facilitate the AD of cellulosic substrate by HAs addition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province 214122, PR China; Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, United States.
| | - Yun Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province 214122, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Hua Zou
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province 214122, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, United States
| | - Rong-Bo Guo
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production & Utilization, Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, PR China
| | - Shan-Fei Fu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province 214122, PR China; Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production & Utilization, Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, NO. 189 Songling Road, Qingdao 266101, PR China.
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29
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Hao X, Yu W, Yuan T, Wu Y, van Loosdrecht MCM. Unravelling key factors controlling vivianite formation during anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 223:118976. [PMID: 36001903 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
As a product of phosphorous recovery from anaerobic digestion (AD) of waste activated sludge (WAS), vivianite has received increasing attention. However, key factors controlling vivianite formation have not yet been fully addressed. Thus, this study was initiated to ascertain key factors controlling vivianite formation. A simulation of chemical equilibriums indicates that interfering ions such as metallic ions and inorganic compounds may affect vivianite formation, especially at a PO43-concentration lower than 3 mM. The experiments demonstrated that the rate of ferric bio-reduction conducted by dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria (DMRB) and the competition of methane-producing bacteria (MPB) with DMRB for VFAs (acetate) were not the key factors controlling vivianite formation, and that ferric bio-reduction of DMRB can proceed when a sufficient amount of Fe3+ exists in WAS. The determined affinity constants (Ks) of both DMRB and MPB on acetate revealed that the KHAc constant (4.2 mmol/g VSS) of DMRB was almost 4 times lower than that of MPB (15.67 mmol/g VSS) and thus MPB could not seriously compete for VFAs (acetate) with DMRB. As a result, vivianite formation was controlled mainly by the amount of Fe3+ in WAS. In practice, a Fe/P molar ratio of 2:1 should be enough for vivianite formation in AD of WAS. Otherwise, exogenously dosing Fe3+ or Fe2+ into AD must be applied in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Hao
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Beijing, 100044, China.
| | - Wenbo Yu
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Tugui Yuan
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Mark C M van Loosdrecht
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Beijing, 100044, China; Dept. of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, the Netherlands
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30
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Rao R, Hu J, Lee PH. Theoretical characterisation of electron tunnelling from granular activated carbon to electron accepting organisms in direct interspecies electron transfer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12426. [PMID: 35858919 PMCID: PMC9300713 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15606-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) has been identified as an efficient metabolism between symbiotically interacting organisms. One method of DIET uses conductive materials (e.g., granular activated carbon (GAC)) as a medium to shuttle electrons from electron donating organisms (eg., Geobacter metallireducens) to electron accepting organisms (e.g., Geobacter sulfurreducens and Methanosarcina barkeri). Conductive materials such as GAC, become negatively charged in DIET processes due to reduction by electron donating organisms. This high excess electron density in GAC leads to quantum tunnelling of electrons being a significant electron transfer mechanism for DIET. Thus, a theoretical model obeying the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) approximation and Fermi–Dirac statistics was developed and simulated. In the model, the electron tunnelling transfer barrier was described by an effective rectangular barrier. The result of our 1D tunnelling simulations indicates that within 29.4 nm of the GAC, tunnelling can sufficiently supply electrons from GAC to G. sulfurreducens and M. barkeri. The phenomenon of tunnelling may also have significance as a stimulant of chemotaxis for G. sulfurreducens and other electron accepting microbes when attempting to adsorb onto GAC. This study sheds light on quantum tunnelling’s significant potential in both bacterium and archaeon DIET-centric processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Rao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK.,Department of Physics, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Jing Hu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Po-Heng Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK.
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31
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Spietz RL, Payne D, Kulkarni G, Metcalf WW, Roden EE, Boyd ES. Investigating Abiotic and Biotic Mechanisms of Pyrite Reduction. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:878387. [PMID: 35615515 PMCID: PMC9124975 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.878387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrite (FeS2) has a very low solubility and therefore has historically been considered a sink for iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) and unavailable to biology in the absence of oxygen and oxidative weathering. Anaerobic methanogens were recently shown to reduce FeS2 and assimilate Fe and S reduction products to meet nutrient demands. However, the mechanism of FeS2 mineral reduction and the forms of Fe and S assimilated by methanogens remained unclear. Thermodynamic calculations described herein indicate that H2 at aqueous concentrations as low as 10-10 M favors the reduction of FeS2, with sulfide (HS-) and pyrrhotite (Fe1- x S) as products; abiotic laboratory experiments confirmed the reduction of FeS2 with dissolved H2 concentrations greater than 1.98 × 10-4 M H2. Growth studies of Methanosarcina barkeri provided with FeS2 as the sole source of Fe and S resulted in H2 production but at concentrations too low to drive abiotic FeS2 reduction, based on abiotic laboratory experimental data. A strain of M. barkeri with deletions in all [NiFe]-hydrogenases maintained the ability to reduce FeS2 during growth, providing further evidence that extracellular electron transport (EET) to FeS2 does not involve H2 or [NiFe]-hydrogenases. Physical contact between cells and FeS2 was required for mineral reduction but was not required to obtain Fe and S from dissolution products. The addition of a synthetic electron shuttle, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate, allowed for biological reduction of FeS2 when physical contact between cells and FeS2 was prohibited, indicating that exogenous electron shuttles can mediate FeS2 reduction. Transcriptomics experiments revealed upregulation of several cytoplasmic oxidoreductases during growth of M. barkeri on FeS2, which may indicate involvement in provisioning low potential electrons for EET to FeS2. Collectively, the data presented herein indicate that reduction of insoluble FeS2 by M. barkeri occurred via electron transfer from the cell surface to the mineral surface resulting in the generation of soluble HS- and mineral-associated Fe1- x S. Solubilized Fe(II), but not HS-, from mineral-associated Fe1- x S reacts with aqueous HS- yielding aqueous iron sulfur clusters (FeS aq ) that likely serve as the Fe and S source for methanogen growth and activity. FeS aq nucleation and subsequent precipitation on the surface of cells may result in accelerated EET to FeS2, resulting in positive feedback between cell activity and FeS2 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Spietz
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Devon Payne
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Gargi Kulkarni
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - William W. Metcalf
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Eric E. Roden
- Department of Geosciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Eric S. Boyd
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
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32
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Yang ZM, Guo RB, Dong XH. Promoting biomethane production from propionate with Fe 2O 3@carbon nanotubes composites. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 818:151762. [PMID: 34800454 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Using a batch anaerobic system constructed with 60 mL serum bottles, potential of a composite material with Fe2O3 nanoparticles decorated on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to enhance biomethane production was investigated. The composites (Fe2O3@CNTs) with well dispersed Fe2O3 nanoparticles (4.5 nm) were fabricated by a facile thermal decomposition method in a muffle furnace under nitrogen atmosphere. Compared with Fe2O3, Fe2O3@CNTs showed a large specific surface area and good electrical conductivity. Supplementation of Fe2O3@CNTs to the propionate-degrading enrichments enhanced the methane production rate, which was 10.4-fold higher than that in the control experiment without material addition. The addition of Fe2O3@CNTs also not only showed a clearly electrochemical response to flavin and cytochrome C, but also reduced the electron transfer resistance when compared to the control. Comparative analysis showed that Fe2O3 in Fe2O3@CNTs played a key role in initiating electrochemical response and triggering rapid methane production, while CNTs functioned as rapid electron conduits to facilitate electron transfer from iron-reducing bacteria (e.g., Acinetobacter, Syntrophomonas, and Geobacter) to methanogens (e.g. Methanosarcina).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Man Yang
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production & Utilization, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266101, PR China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China.
| | - Rong-Bo Guo
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production & Utilization, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266101, PR China
| | - Xiao-Huan Dong
- Shandong Industrial Engineering Laboratory of Biogas Production & Utilization, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266101, PR China
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33
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Chen L, Fang W, Chang J, Liang J, Zhang P, Zhang G. Improvement of Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer via Adding Conductive Materials in Anaerobic Digestion: Mechanisms, Performances, and Challenges. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:860749. [PMID: 35432222 PMCID: PMC9005980 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.860749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion is an effective and sustainable technology for resource utilization of organic wastes. Recently, adding conductive materials in anaerobic digestion to promote direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) has become a hot topic, which enhances the syntrophic conversion of various organics to methane. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent findings of DIET mechanisms with different mediating ways. Meanwhile, the influence of DIET on anaerobic digestion performance and the underlying mechanisms of how DIET mediated by conductive materials influences the lag phase, methane production, and system stability are systematically explored. Furthermore, current challenges such as the unclear biological mechanisms, influences of non-DIET mechanisms, limitations of organic matters syntrophically oxidized by way of DIET, and problems in practical application of DIET mediated by conductive materials are discussed in detail. Finally, the future research directions for practical application of DIET are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Chen
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.,Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Fang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.,Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianning Chang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.,Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinsong Liang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.,Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Panyue Zhang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China.,Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangming Zhang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China
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34
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Conners EM, Rengasamy K, Bose A. "Electroactive biofilms: how microbial electron transfer enables bioelectrochemical applications". J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 49:6563884. [PMID: 35381088 PMCID: PMC9338886 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Microbial biofilms are ubiquitous. In marine and freshwater ecosystems, microbe–mineral interactions sustain biogeochemical cycles, while biofilms found on plants and animals can range from pathogens to commensals. Moreover, biofouling and biocorrosion represent significant challenges to industry. Bioprocessing is an opportunity to take advantage of biofilms and harness their utility as a chassis for biocommodity production. Electrochemical bioreactors have numerous potential applications, including wastewater treatment and commodity production. The literature examining these applications has demonstrated that the cell–surface interface is vital to facilitating these processes. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the state of knowledge regarding biofilms’ role in bioprocessing. This mini-review discusses bacterial biofilm formation, cell–surface redox interactions, and the role of microbial electron transfer in bioprocesses. It also highlights some current goals and challenges with respect to microbe-mediated bioprocessing and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Conners
- Department of Biology. One Brookings Drive, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, 63105, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Rengasamy
- Department of Biology. One Brookings Drive, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, 63105, USA
| | - Arpita Bose
- Department of Biology. One Brookings Drive, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, 63105, USA
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35
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Jiang Z, Yu Q, Sun C, Wang Z, Jin Z, Zhu Y, Zhao Z, Zhang Y. Additional electric field alleviates acidity suppression in anaerobic digestion of kitchen wastes via enriching electro-active methanogens in cathodic biofilms. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 212:118118. [PMID: 35091224 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility that the suppression of acidity in anaerobic digestion of kitchen wastes could be alleviated with additional electric field. The results showed that, the accumulation of acidity seriously suppressed methanogenesis, and no methane was detected in the electrode-supplemented digester without applied voltage. In contrast, with applied voltages of 0.6-1.2 V, the suppression of acidity was alleviated, and methane production rates reached 558-669 L/kg-volatile suspended solid that were higher than that previously reported with carbon-based conductive materials, such as granular active carbon and biochar. Although the reduced peak with a potential ranging from -0.3 V to -0.2 V close to the reduced potential of CO2/CH4 detected via cyclic voltammetry, the maximum methane yield derived from cathodic reduction of CO2 only accounted for 0.13-0.33% of total methane yield with applied voltages. Microbial community analysis showed that, Methanosarcina species were specially enriched with applied voltages, accounting for ca. 40-70% of the communities. Together with the increase in the relative abundance of Syntrophomonas species, Methanosarcina species directly accepting electrons from Syntrophomonas species via DIET might be the primary reason for alleviating the suppression of acidity. Further investigations via three-dimensional excitation emission matrix and in-situ electrochemical Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy found that additional electric field stimulated the secretion of EPS primarily comprised of protein-like substance, which might mediate the EET between Syntrophomonas and Methanosarcina species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Qilin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Cheng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Zhenxin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Zhen Jin
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yahui Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Yaobin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
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36
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Paquete CM, Rosenbaum MA, Bañeras L, Rotaru AE, Puig S. Let's chat: Communication between electroactive microorganisms. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 347:126705. [PMID: 35065228 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electroactive microorganisms can exchange electrons with other cells or conductive interfaces in their extracellular environment. This property opens the way to a broad range of practical biotechnological applications, from manufacturing sustainable chemicals via electrosynthesis, to bioenergy, bioelectronics or improved, low-energy demanding wastewater treatments. Besides, electroactive microorganisms play key roles in environmental bioremediation, significantly impacting process efficiencies. This review highlights our present knowledge on microbial interactions promoting the communication between electroactive microorganisms in a biofilm on an electrode in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). Furthermore, the immediate knowledge gaps that must be closed to develop novel technologies will also be acknowledged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina M Paquete
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, Jena, Germany; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Lluís Bañeras
- Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 40, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Amelia-Elena Rotaru
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurelia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain.
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37
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Lovley DR. Electrotrophy: Other microbial species, iron, and electrodes as electron donors for microbial respirations. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 345:126553. [PMID: 34906705 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electrotrophy, the growth of microbes on extracellular electron donors, drives important biogeochemical cycles and has practical applications. Studies of Fe(II)-based electrotrophy have provided foundational cytochrome-based mechanistic models for electron transport into cells. Direct electron uptake from other microbial species, Fe(0), or cathodes is of intense interest due to its potential roles in the production and anaerobic oxidation of methane, corrosion, and bioelectrochemical technologies. Other cells or Fe(0) can serve as the sole electron donor supporting the growth of several Geobacter and methanogen strains that are unable to use H2 as an electron donor, providing strong evidence for electrotrophy. Additional evidence for electrotrophy in Geobacter strains and Methanosarcina acetivorans is a requirement for outer-surface c-type cytochromes. However, in most instances claims for electrotrophy in anaerobes are based on indirect inference and the possibility that H2 is actually the electron donor supporting growth has not been rigorously excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek R Lovley
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China; Department of Microbiology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
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38
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Impact of Granular Activated Carbon on Anaerobic Process and Microbial Community Structure during Mesophilic and Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Chicken Manure. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14010447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the impact of granular activated carbon (GAC) on the mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion of chicken manure and the structure of microbial communities was investigated. These results demonstrated that GAC supplementation effectively enhanced the consumption of produced organic acids in the mesophilic and thermophilic batch tests, accompanied by faster biomethane production in the presence of GAC than from reactors without GAC. However, since the free ammonia level was 3–6 times higher in the thermophilic reactors, this led to the instability of the anaerobic digestion process of the nitrogen-rich substrate at thermophilic temperatures. Bacteroidia and Clostridia were the two main bacterial classes in the mesophilic reactors, whereas the class Clostridia had a competitive advantage over other groups in the thermophilic systems. The archaeal communities in the mesophilic reactors were mainly represented by representatives of the genera Methanosarcina, Methanobacterium, and Methanotrix, whereas the archaeal communities in the thermophilic reactors were mainly represented by members of the genera Methanosarcina, Methanoculleus, and Methanothermobacter. New data obtained in this research will help control and manage biogas reactors in the presence of GAC at different temperatures.
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39
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Chadwick GL, Skennerton CT, Laso-Pérez R, Leu AO, Speth DR, Yu H, Morgan-Lang C, Hatzenpichler R, Goudeau D, Malmstrom R, Brazelton WJ, Woyke T, Hallam SJ, Tyson GW, Wegener G, Boetius A, Orphan VJ. Comparative genomics reveals electron transfer and syntrophic mechanisms differentiating methanotrophic and methanogenic archaea. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001508. [PMID: 34986141 PMCID: PMC9012536 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to sulfate reduction is a microbially mediated process requiring a syntrophic partnership between anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Based on genome taxonomy, ANME lineages are polyphyletic within the phylum Halobacterota, none of which have been isolated in pure culture. Here, we reconstruct 28 ANME genomes from environmental metagenomes and flow sorted syntrophic consortia. Together with a reanalysis of previously published datasets, these genomes enable a comparative analysis of all marine ANME clades. We review the genomic features that separate ANME from their methanogenic relatives and identify what differentiates ANME clades. Large multiheme cytochromes and bioenergetic complexes predicted to be involved in novel electron bifurcation reactions are well distributed and conserved in the ANME archaea, while significant variations in the anabolic C1 pathways exists between clades. Our analysis raises the possibility that methylotrophic methanogenesis may have evolved from a methanotrophic ancestor. A comparative genomics study of anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea reveals the genetic "parts list" associated with the repeated evolutionary transition between methanogenic and methanotrophic metabolism in the archaeal domain of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grayson L. Chadwick
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GLC); (VJO)
| | - Connor T. Skennerton
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Rafael Laso-Pérez
- Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
- MARUM, Center for Marine Environmental Science, and Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Andy O. Leu
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Daan R. Speth
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Hang Yu
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Connor Morgan-Lang
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roland Hatzenpichler
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Danielle Goudeau
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Rex Malmstrom
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - William J. Brazelton
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Tanja Woyke
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Steven J. Hallam
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
- Genome Science and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- ECOSCOPE Training Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Gene W. Tyson
- Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gunter Wegener
- Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
- MARUM, Center for Marine Environmental Science, and Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Antje Boetius
- Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Bremen, Germany
- MARUM, Center for Marine Environmental Science, and Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Victoria J. Orphan
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GLC); (VJO)
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40
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Pillot G, Amin Ali O, Davidson S, Shintu L, Combet-Blanc Y, Godfroy A, Bonin P, Liebgott PP. Evolution of Thermophilic Microbial Communities from a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Chimney under Electrolithoautotrophic Conditions with Nitrate. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9122475. [PMID: 34946077 PMCID: PMC8705573 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown the presence of an abiotic electrical current across the walls of deep-sea hydrothermal chimneys, allowing the growth of electroautotrophic microbial communities. To understand the role of the different phylogenetic groups and metabolisms involved, this study focused on electrotrophic enrichment with nitrate as electron acceptor. The biofilm density, community composition, production of organic compounds, and electrical consumption were monitored by FISH confocal microscopy, qPCR, metabarcoding, NMR, and potentiostat measurements. A statistical analysis by PCA showed the correlation between the different parameters (qPCR, organic compounds, and electron acceptors) in three distinct temporal phases. In our conditions, the Archaeoglobales have been shown to play a key role in the development of the community as the first colonizers on the cathode and the first producers of organic compounds, which are then used as an organic source by heterotrophs. Finally, through subcultures of the community, we showed the development of a greater biodiversity over time. This observed phenomenon could explain the biodiversity development in hydrothermal contexts, where energy sources are transient and unstable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Pillot
- Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France; (G.P.); (O.A.A.); (S.D.); (Y.C.-B.); (P.B.)
| | - Oulfat Amin Ali
- Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France; (G.P.); (O.A.A.); (S.D.); (Y.C.-B.); (P.B.)
| | - Sylvain Davidson
- Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France; (G.P.); (O.A.A.); (S.D.); (Y.C.-B.); (P.B.)
| | - Laetitia Shintu
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS Centrale Marseille, iSm2, 13284 Marseille, France;
| | - Yannick Combet-Blanc
- Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France; (G.P.); (O.A.A.); (S.D.); (Y.C.-B.); (P.B.)
| | - Anne Godfroy
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS, IFREMER, 29280 Plouzané, France;
| | - Patricia Bonin
- Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France; (G.P.); (O.A.A.); (S.D.); (Y.C.-B.); (P.B.)
| | - Pierre-Pol Liebgott
- Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France; (G.P.); (O.A.A.); (S.D.); (Y.C.-B.); (P.B.)
- Correspondence:
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41
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Holmes DE, Zhou J, Ueki T, Woodard T, Lovley DR. Mechanisms for Electron Uptake by Methanosarcina acetivorans during Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer. mBio 2021; 12:e0234421. [PMID: 34607451 PMCID: PMC8546582 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02344-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between bacteria and methanogenic archaea appears to be an important syntrophy in both natural and engineered methanogenic environments. However, the electrical connections on the outer surface of methanogens and the subsequent processing of electrons for carbon dioxide reduction to methane are poorly understood. Here, we report that the genetically tractable methanogen Methanosarcina acetivorans can grow via DIET in coculture with Geobacter metallireducens serving as the electron-donating partner. Comparison of gene expression patterns in M. acetivorans grown in coculture versus pure-culture growth on acetate revealed that transcripts for the outer-surface multiheme c-type cytochrome MmcA were higher during DIET-based growth. Deletion of mmcA inhibited DIET. The high aromatic amino acid content of M. acetivorans archaellins suggests that they might assemble into electrically conductive archaella. A mutant that could not express archaella was deficient in DIET. However, this mutant grew in DIET-based coculture as well as the archaellum-expressing parental strain in the presence of granular activated carbon, which was previously shown to serve as a substitute for electrically conductive pili as a conduit for long-range interspecies electron transfer in other DIET-based cocultures. Transcriptomic data suggesting that the membrane-bound Rnf, Fpo, and HdrED complexes also play a role in DIET were incorporated into a charge-balanced model illustrating how electrons entering the cell through MmcA can yield energy to support growth from carbon dioxide reduction. The results are the first genetics-based functional demonstration of likely outer-surface electrical contacts for DIET in a methanogen. IMPORTANCE The conversion of organic matter to methane plays an important role in the global carbon cycle and is an effective strategy for converting wastes to a useful biofuel. The reduction of carbon dioxide to methane accounts for approximately a third of the methane produced in anaerobic soils and sediments as well as waste digesters. Potential electron donors for carbon dioxide reduction are H2 or electrons derived from direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between bacteria and methanogens. Elucidating the relative importance of these electron donors has been difficult due to a lack of information on the electrical connections on the outer surfaces of methanogens and how they process the electrons received from DIET. Transcriptomic patterns and gene deletion phenotypes reported here provide insight into how a group of Methanosarcina organisms that play an important role in methane production in soils and sediments participate in DIET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn E. Holmes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts—Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical and Biological Science, Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jinjie Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts—Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Toshiyuki Ueki
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts—Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trevor Woodard
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts—Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts—Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
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Response of Methanogen Communities to the Elevation of Cathode Potentials in Bioelectrochemical Reactors Amended with Magnetite. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0148821. [PMID: 34432490 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01488-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Electromethanogenesis refers to the process whereby methanogens utilize current for the reduction of CO2 to CH4. Setting low cathode potentials is essential for this process. In this study, we tested if magnetite, an iron oxide mineral widespread in the environment, can facilitate the adaptation of methanogen communities to the elevation of cathode potentials in electrochemical reactors. Two-chamber electrochemical reactors were constructed with inoculants obtained from paddy field soil. We elevated cathode potentials stepwise from the initial -0.6 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) to -0.5 V and then to -0.4 V over the 130 days of acclimation. Only weak current consumption and CH4 production were observed in the bioreactors without magnetite. However, significant current consumption and CH4 production were recorded in the magnetite bioreactors. The robustness of electroactivity of the magnetite bioreactors was not affected by the elevation of cathode potentials from -0.6 V to -0.4 V. However, the current consumption and CH4 production were halted in the bioreactors without magnetite when the cathode potentials were elevated to -0.4 V. Methanogens related to Methanospirillum were enriched on the cathode surfaces of magnetite bioreactors at -0.4 V, while Methanosarcina relatively dominated in the bioreactors without magnetite. Methanobacterium also increased in the magnetite bioreactors but stayed off electrodes at -0.4 V. Apparently, the magnetite greatly facilitates the development of biocathodes, and it appears that with the aid of magnetite, Methanospirillum spp. can adapt to the high cathode potentials, performing efficient electromethanogenesis. IMPORTANCE Converting CO2 to CH4 through bioelectrochemistry is a promising approach to the development of green energy biotechnology. This process, however, requires low cathode potentials, which entails a cost. In this study, we tested if magnetite, a conductive iron mineral, can facilitate the adaptation of methanogens to the elevation of cathode potentials. In two-chamber reactors constructed by using inoculants obtained from paddy field soil, biocathodes developed robustly in the presence of magnetite, whereas only weak activities in CH4 production and current consumption were observed in the bioreactors without magnetite. The elevation of cathode potentials did not affect the robustness of electroactivity of the magnetite bioreactors over the 130 days of acclimation. Methanospirillum strains were identified as the key methanogens associated with the cathode surfaces during the operation at high potentials. The findings reported in this study shed new light on the adaptation of methanogen communities to the elevated cathode potentials in the presence of magnetite.
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Heitkamp K, Latorre-Pérez A, Nefigmann S, Gimeno-Valero H, Vilanova C, Jahmad E, Abendroth C. Monitoring of seven industrial anaerobic digesters supplied with biochar. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS 2021; 14:185. [PMID: 34538267 PMCID: PMC8451101 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-021-02034-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent research articles indicate that direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) is an alternative metabolic route for methanogenic archaea that improves microbial methane productivity. It has been shown that multiple conductive materials such as biochar can be supplemented to anaerobic digesters to increase the rate of DIET. However, the industrial applicability, as well as the impact of such supplements on taxonomic profiles, has not been sufficiently assessed to date. RESULTS Seven industrial biogas plants were upgraded with a shock charge of 1.8 kg biochar per ton of reactor content and then 1.8 kg per ton were added to the substrate for one year. A joint analysis for all seven systems showed a decreasing trend for the concentration of acetic acid (p < 0.0001), propionic acid (p < 0.0001) and butyric acid (p = 0.0022), which was significant in all cases. Quantification of the cofactor F420 using fluorescence microscopy showed a reduction in methanogenic archaea by up to a power of ten. Methanogenic archaea could grow within the biochar, even if the number of cells was 4 times less than in the surrounding sludge. 16S-rRNA gene amplicon sequencing showed a higher microbial diversity in the biochar particles than in the sludge, as well as an accumulation of secondary fermenters and halotolerant bacteria. Taxonomic profiles indicate microbial electroactivity, and show the frequent occurrence of Methanoculleus, which has not been described in this context before. CONCLUSIONS Our results shed light on the interplay between biochar particles and microbial communities in anaerobic digesters. Both the microbial diversity and the absolute frequency of the microorganisms involved were significantly changed between sludge samples and biochar particles. This is particularly important against the background of microbial process monitoring. In addition, it could be shown that biochar is suitable for reducing the content of inhibitory, volatile acids on an industrial scale.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriel Latorre-Pérez
- Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence, S.L. Parc Cientific Universitat de Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Helena Gimeno-Valero
- Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence, S.L. Parc Cientific Universitat de Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Cristina Vilanova
- Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence, S.L. Parc Cientific Universitat de Valencia, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Christian Abendroth
- Institute of Waste Management and Circular Economy, Technische Universität Dresden, Pirna, Germany.
- Robert Boyle Institut e.V, Jena, Germany.
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Lovley DR, Holmes DE. Electromicrobiology: the ecophysiology of phylogenetically diverse electroactive microorganisms. Nat Rev Microbiol 2021; 20:5-19. [PMID: 34316046 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-021-00597-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Electroactive microorganisms markedly affect many environments in which they establish outer-surface electrical contacts with other cells and minerals or reduce soluble extracellular redox-active molecules such as flavins and humic substances. A growing body of research emphasizes their broad phylogenetic diversity and shows that these microorganisms have key roles in multiple biogeochemical cycles, as well as the microbiome of the gut, anaerobic waste digesters and metal corrosion. Diverse bacteria and archaea have independently evolved cytochrome-based strategies for electron exchange between the outer cell surface and the cell interior, but cytochrome-free mechanisms are also prevalent. Electrically conductive protein filaments, soluble electron shuttles and non-biological conductive materials can substantially extend the electronic reach of microorganisms beyond the surface of the cell. The growing appreciation of the diversity of electroactive microorganisms and their unique electronic capabilities is leading to a broad range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek R Lovley
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, China. .,Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA. .,Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
| | - Dawn E Holmes
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.,Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.,Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Western New England University, Springfield, MA, USA
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In Situ Electrochemical Characterization of a Microbial Fuel Cell Biocathode Running on Wastewater. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11070839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The electrochemical features of microbial fuel cells’ biocathodes, running on wastewater, were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. Ex situ and in situ electrochemical assays were performed and the redox processes associated with the presence of microorganisms and/or biofilms were attained. Different controls using sterile media (abiotic cathode microbial fuel cell) and membranes covering the electrodes were performed to evaluate the source of the electrochemistry response (surface biofilms vs. biotic electrolyte). The bacteria presence, in particular when biofilms are allowed to develop, was related with the enhanced active redox processes associated with an improved catalytic activity, namely for oxygen reduction, when compared with the results attained for an abiotic microbial fuel cell cathode. The microbial main composition was also attained and is in agreement with other reported studies. The current study aims contributing to the establishment of the advantages of using biocathodes rather than abiotic, whose conditions are frequently harder to control and to contribute to a better understanding of the bioelectrochemical processes occurring on the biotic chambers and the electrode surfaces.
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Correlation of Key Physiological Properties of Methanosarcina Isolates with Environment of Origin. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:e0073121. [PMID: 33931421 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00731-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is known that the physiology of Methanosarcina species can differ significantly, but the ecological impact of these differences is unclear. We recovered two strains of Methanosarcina from two different ecosystems with a similar enrichment and isolation method. Both strains had the same ability to metabolize organic substrates and participate in direct interspecies electron transfer but also had major physiological differences. Strain DH-1, which was isolated from an anaerobic digester, used H2 as an electron donor. Genome analysis indicated that it lacks an Rnf complex and conserves energy from acetate metabolism via intracellular H2 cycling. In contrast, strain DH-2, a subsurface isolate, lacks hydrogenases required for H2 uptake and cycling and has an Rnf complex for energy conservation when growing on acetate. Further analysis of the genomes of previously described isolates, as well as phylogenetic and metagenomic data on uncultured Methanosarcina in anaerobic digesters and diverse soils and sediments, revealed a physiological dichotomy that corresponded with environment of origin. The physiology of type I Methanosarcina revolves around H2 production and consumption. In contrast, type II Methanosarcina species eschew H2 and have genes for an Rnf complex and the multiheme, membrane-bound c-type cytochrome MmcA, shown to be essential for extracellular electron transfer. The distribution of Methanosarcina species in diverse environments suggests that the type I H2-based physiology is well suited for high-energy environments, like anaerobic digesters, whereas type II Rnf/cytochrome-based physiology is an adaptation to the slower, steady-state carbon and electron fluxes common in organic-poor anaerobic soils and sediments. IMPORTANCE Biogenic methane is a significant greenhouse gas, and the conversion of organic wastes to methane is an important bioenergy process. Methanosarcina species play an important role in methane production in many methanogenic soils and sediments as well as anaerobic waste digesters. The studies reported here emphasize that the genus Methanosarcina is composed of two physiologically distinct groups. This is important to recognize when interpreting the role of Methanosarcina in methanogenic environments, especially regarding H2 metabolism. Furthermore, the finding that type I Methanosarcina species predominate in environments with high rates of carbon and electron flux and that type II Methanosarcina species predominate in lower-energy environments suggests that evaluating the relative abundance of type I and type II Methanosarcina may provide further insights into rates of carbon and electron flux in methanogenic environments.
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Liu C, Xiao J, Li H, Chen Q, Sun D, Cheng X, Li P, Dang Y, Smith JA, Holmes DE. High efficiency in-situ biogas upgrading in a bioelectrochemical system with low energy input. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 197:117055. [PMID: 33789202 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Biogas produced from anaerobic digestion usually contains 30%-50% CO2, much of which must be removed, before utilization. Bioelectrochemical biogas upgrading approaches show promise, however, they have not yet been optimized for practical applications. In this study, a bioelectrochemical system with low energy input (applied cathode potential of -0.5 V vs. standard hydrogen electrode, SHE) was used for in-situ biogas upgrading. High efficiency CO2 conversion (318.5 mol/d/m2) was achieved when the system was operated with an organic load of 1.7 kgCOD/(m3 d). Methane content in the upgraded biogas was 97.0% and CO2 concentrations stayed below 3%, which is comparable to biogas upgraded with more expensive and less sustainable physiochemical approaches. The high efficiency of this approach could likely be attributed to a significant enrichment of Methanothrix (92.7%) species on the cathode surface that were expressing genes involved in both acetogenic methanogenesis and direct electron transfer (DET). Electromethanogenesis by these organisms also increased proton consumption and created a higher pH that increased the solubility of CO2 in the bioreactor. In addition, CO2 removal from the biogas was likely further enhanced by an enrichment of Actinobacillus species known to be capable of CO2 fixation. Artificial neural network (ANN) models were also used to estimate CH4 production under different loading conditions. The ANN architecture with 10 neurons at hidden layers fit best with a mean square error of 6.06 × 10-3 and R2 of 0.99.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanqi Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Jiewen Xiao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Haoyong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Dezhi Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiang Cheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Pengsong Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yan Dang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control and Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, 35 Tsinghua East Road, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Jessica A Smith
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, 1615 Stanley Street, New Britain, CR 06050, USA
| | - Dawn E Holmes
- Department of Physical and Biological Sciences, Western New England University, 1215 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield, MA 01119, USA
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Gao K, Lu Y. Putative Extracellular Electron Transfer in Methanogenic Archaea. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:611739. [PMID: 33828536 PMCID: PMC8019784 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.611739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that a few methanogens are capable of extracellular electron transfers. For instance, Methanosarcina barkeri can directly capture electrons from the coexisting microbial cells of other species. Methanothrix harundinacea and Methanosarcina horonobensis retrieve electrons from Geobacter metallireducens via direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). Recently, Methanobacterium, designated strain YSL, has been found to grow via DIET in the co-culture with Geobacter metallireducens. Methanosarcina acetivorans can perform anaerobic methane oxidation and respiratory growth relying on Fe(III) reduction through the extracellular electron transfer. Methanosarcina mazei is capable of electromethanogenesis under the conditions where electron-transfer mediators like H2 or formate are limited. The membrane-bound multiheme c-type cytochromes (MHC) and electrically-conductive cellular appendages have been assumed to mediate the extracellular electron transfer in bacteria like Geobacter and Shewanella species. These molecules or structures are rare but have been recently identified in a few methanogens. Here, we review the current state of knowledge for the putative extracellular electron transfers in methanogens and highlight the opportunities and challenges for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailin Gao
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yahai Lu
- College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Lekbach Y, Liu T, Li Y, Moradi M, Dou W, Xu D, Smith JA, Lovley DR. Microbial corrosion of metals: The corrosion microbiome. Adv Microb Physiol 2021; 78:317-390. [PMID: 34147188 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Microbially catalyzed corrosion of metals is a substantial economic concern. Aerobic microbes primarily enhance Fe0 oxidation through indirect mechanisms and their impact appears to be limited compared to anaerobic microbes. Several anaerobic mechanisms are known to accelerate Fe0 oxidation. Microbes can consume H2 abiotically generated from the oxidation of Fe0. Microbial H2 removal makes continued Fe0 oxidation more thermodynamically favorable. Extracellular hydrogenases further accelerate Fe0 oxidation. Organic electron shuttles such as flavins, phenazines, and possibly humic substances may replace H2 as the electron carrier between Fe0 and cells. Direct Fe0-to-microbe electron transfer is also possible. Which of these anaerobic mechanisms predominates in model pure culture isolates is typically poorly documented because of a lack of functional genetic studies. Microbial mechanisms for Fe0 oxidation may also apply to some other metals. An ultimate goal of microbial metal corrosion research is to develop molecular tools to diagnose the occurrence, mechanisms, and rates of metal corrosion to guide the implementation of the most effective mitigation strategies. A systems biology approach that includes innovative isolation and characterization methods, as well as functional genomic investigations, will be required in order to identify the diagnostic features to be gleaned from meta-omic analysis of corroding materials. A better understanding of microbial metal corrosion mechanisms is expected to lead to new corrosion mitigation strategies. The understanding of the corrosion microbiome is clearly in its infancy, but interdisciplinary electrochemical, microbiological, and molecular tools are available to make rapid progress in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassir Lekbach
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China; Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tao Liu
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingchao Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Failure, Corrosion and Protection of Oil/Gas Facility Materials, College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Masoumeh Moradi
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China; Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wenwen Dou
- Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Dake Xu
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China; Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Jessica A Smith
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT, United States
| | - Derek R Lovley
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, China; Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States.
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Stimulation of Biomethane Productivity in Anaerobic Digestion Using Electro-Conductive Carbon-Nanotube Hollow-Fiber Media. MINERALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/min11020179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The production of biogas was promoted via direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) by employing electro-conductive carbon-nanotube hollow-fiber media (CHM) in anaerobic digestion. Experimental results showed a positive effect of CHM presence on CH4 productivity with 34% higher CH4 production rate than that of in the presence of non-electroconductive polymeric hollow fiber media. An increased CH4 production rate was due to the shift in the microbiome with more abundant Pelobacter (10.0%), Geobacter (6.9%), and Methanosaeta (15.7%), which play key roles in promoting CH4 production via syntrophic metabolism associated with DIET. Microscopic morphology analysis, using confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, exhibited that several living cells were attached with electro-conductive pili on the CHM surface, thereby facilitated electron transport between microbial cells.
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