Microbial community structure and dynamics in two-stage vs single-stage thermophilic anaerobic digestion of mixed swine slurry and market bio-waste

Water Res. 2013 Apr 15;47(6):1983-95. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.01.007. Epub 2013 Jan 18.

Abstract

The microbial community of a thermophilic two-stage process was monitored during two-months operation and compared to a conventional single-stage process. Qualitative and quantitative microbial dynamics were analysed by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and real-time PCR techniques, respectively. The bacterial community was dominated by heat-shock resistant, spore-forming clostridia in the two-stage process, whereas a more diverse and dynamic community (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Synergistes) was observed in the single-stage process. A significant evolution of bacterial community occurred over time in the acidogenic phase of the two-phase process with the selection of few dominant species associated to stable hydrogen production. The archaeal community, dominated by the acetoclastic Methanosarcinales in both methanogen reactors, showed a significant diversity change in the single-stage process after a period of adaptation to the feeding conditions, compared to a constant stability in the methanogenic reactor of the two-stage process. The more diverse and dynamic bacterial and archaeal community of single-stage process compared to the two-stage process accounted for the best degradation activity, and consequently the best performance, in this reactor. The microbiological perspective proved a useful tool for a better understanding and comparison of anaerobic digestion processes.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acidobacteria / genetics
  • Acidobacteria / growth & development
  • Acidobacteria / isolation & purification
  • Acidobacteria / metabolism
  • Animal Husbandry / economics
  • Animals
  • Archaeal Proteins / chemistry
  • Archaeal Proteins / genetics
  • Archaeal Proteins / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Bioreactors / economics
  • Bioreactors / microbiology*
  • Clostridium / genetics
  • Clostridium / growth & development
  • Clostridium / isolation & purification
  • Clostridium / metabolism
  • Fermentation
  • Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / genetics
  • Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / growth & development
  • Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / genetics
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / growth & development
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Industrial Waste / analysis*
  • Industrial Waste / economics
  • Italy
  • Manure / microbiology*
  • Meat-Packing Industry / economics
  • Methane / metabolism
  • Methanosarcinales / genetics
  • Methanosarcinales / growth & development
  • Methanosarcinales / isolation & purification
  • Methanosarcinales / metabolism*
  • Microbial Interactions
  • Phylogeny
  • Sus scrofa / microbiology*

Substances

  • Archaeal Proteins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Industrial Waste
  • Manure
  • Methane