Biomethanation of lantana weed and biotransformation of its toxins

The utility of Lantana camara as a substrate for biogas production and the fate of its toxins after biomethanation process was studied. Both fresh and predigested lantana leaves along with cattle dung were subjected to anaerobic batch digestion for a period of 50 days. Fresh lantana did not produce any biogas. However, predigested lantana did produce biogas but only up to a concentration of 50% (w/w, on dry weight basis). Both, the quantity and quality of biogas was better when cattle dung was supplemented with predigested lantana. Biotransformation of lantana toxins (lantadenes) during the biomethanation process was noticed.