Methane Fermentation

Abstract

The methane producing bacteria in the digestive tract of cows and sheep include Methanobacterium ruminantium, M. omelianskii, M. suboxydans, M. propionicum, M. formicicum, Methanococcus mazei, Methanosarcina barkeri, Butyri-bacterium rettgeri and Clostridium thermoaceticum. There is a discussion of CO2 as a source of methane reactions involving formate and CO; the nature of the terminal reduction step in methane biosynthesis; the implications of B12 type compounds; the fermentation of acetate; and the energy requirements. Isotope methods are used in the study.