The effect of detergent on methanogenesis by Methanosarcina barkeri |
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Authors: | E.F. Khalil T.N. Whitmore H. Gamel-El-Din A. El-Bassel D. Lloyd |
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Affiliation: | Department of Microbiology, University College, Cardiff, CF2 1TA, Wales, U.K. |
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Abstract: | Abstract both growth and methanogenesis of Methanosarcina barkeri are completely inhibited by sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate at between 15 and 20 mg·1−1. At lower concentrations growth of cultures was delayed, but no uncoupling of methanogenesis from growth was observed. Higher concentrations of detergent (50 mg·1−1) produced marked alterations in the surface structures of organisms observed in scanning electron micrographs. Thus levels of a detergent common in anaerobic sewage treatment plants can inhibit methanogenesis, the terminal stage in the anaerobic digestion process. |
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Keywords: | Methanogenesis Methanosarcina barkeri Detergent sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate Anaerobic digestion |
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