Anaerobic degradation of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate by a defined mixed culture of Acetobacterium woodii, Pelobacter acidigallici, and Desulfobacter postgatei

Abstract Acetobacterium woodii was continuously grown on 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate as pure culture or in commensalistic combination with Pelobacter acidigallici and Desulfobacter postgatei . Under pure culture conditions the following growth parameters were determined: μ _max= 0.112 h^?1, K _s= 1.07 mM, Y _max= 35 g/mol, and m = 0.22 mmol·g^?1·h^?1. In coculture with P. acidigallici the affinity for the substrate increased and the K _s value was found to be 135 μM. Under batch culture conditions mixed populations of A. woodii, P. acidigallici , and D. postgatei completely mineralized 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate to CO₂, whereas under continuous culture conditions more than 3 mM acetate remained unused.