STUDIES ON THE METHANE FERMENTATION X

Abstract
M. vannielii was isolated, by growth on enrichment media, from black mud from San Francisco Bay. It is a motile coccus that ferments formate and appears to be unable to use any other organic compound as an energy source. Formate is converted to methane, CO2 , and H2. Cell suspensions of the bacterium catalyze a rapid exchange of C between CO2 and formate.