Effect of propionate toxicity on methanogenesis of night soil at phychrophilic temperature

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2003-05, Vol.87 (3), p.299-303
• Main Authors: Dhaked, Ram Kumar, Waghmare, Chandra Kant, Alam, Syed Imteyaz, Kamboj, Dev Vrat, Singh, Lokendra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biodigester; Biofuel production; Biogas; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of sewage sludges and wastes; Biomethanation; Biotechnology; Energy; Environment and pollution; Euryarchaeota - drug effects; Euryarchaeota - physiology; Feces; fermentation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Methane; Methane - analysis; methane production; methanogens; Night soil; Propionate toxicity; Propionates - chemistry; Propionates - toxicity; propionic acid; Refuse Disposal; soil; Temperature; toxicity; VFAs; volatile fatty acids; wastes
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/S0960-8524(02)00227-4

The effect of propionate concentrations on biodegradation of human waste (night soil) was studied at 10 °C. Propionate was toxic for the biomethanation at all the pH tested (6.0, 7.0 and 8.0). The maximum reduction in biogas production in presence of 200 mM propionate was observed at pH 7.0 followed by 8.0. The methane content in biogas also followed a similar trend and at pH 7.0 an 11.5% decrease was observed. Propionate caused the reduction of methanogenic count by an approximately 2 log value. Total volatile fatty acids increased with the increase in propionate concentration and particularly accumulation of propionate was observed. The results were also compared with the 30 °C fermentation.