Thermophilic methanogenesis from sugar beet pulp by a defined mixed bacterial culture

Thermophilic degradation of sugar beet pulp was studies in batch cultures at 55°C by different associations of bacteria, including CLOSTRIDIUM THERMOCELLUM, METHANOBACTERIUM sp. and METHANOSARCINA MP. C. THERMOCELLUM produced acetate, succinate, methanol, ethanol, H2 and CO2. The coculture of C. THERMOCELLUM and METHANOBACTERIUM sp. produced trace amounts of ethanol and succinate ; acetate concentration was about three times higher than in the C. THERMOCELLUM monoculture. The association of this coculture with METHANOSARCINA MP produced 5.5 mmol CH4/g dry weight sugar beet pulp. (Résumé d'auteur)