A versatile and robust aerotolerant microbial community capable of cellulosic ethanol production

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 129; pp. 156 - 163
• Main Authors: Ronan, Patrick, William Yeung, C., Schellenberg, John, Sparling, Richard, Wolfaardt, Gideon M., Hausner, Martina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acetates; Aerotolerant microbial consortium; Bacteria; bacterial communities; Bioethanol; Biofuel production; Biological and medical sciences; Bioreactors - microbiology; Biotechnology; cellulose; Cellulose - metabolism; Cellulose degradation; cellulosic materials; Clostridium; Clostridium - classification; Clostridium - metabolism; Communities; Economics; Energy; Ethanol; Ethanol - metabolism; ethanol production; Ethyl alcohol; fermentation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; habitats; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microbial Consortia - physiology; Microbial engineering. Fermentation and microbial culture technology; Microorganisms; Species Specificity; Waste water; wastewater; Bioethanol; Aerotolerant microbial consortium; Cellulose degradation; Degradation; Ethanol; Alcoholic fermentation; Cellulose; Cellulose derivatives; Biofuel; Lignocellulosics; Microbial community
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.10.164

► A cellulolytic aerotolerant microbial community was enriched from compost. ► Cellulolytic activity was observed in non-reduced as well as pre-reduced media. ► Ethanol and acetate were major fermentation products. ► Cellulolytic activity continued when sterile wastewater was provided as nutrient. ► The culture consisted of both facultative anaerobic and anaerobic members.
The use of microbial communities in the conversion of cellulosic materials to bio-ethanol has the potential to improve the economic competitiveness of this biofuel and subsequently lessen our dependency on fossil fuel-based energy sources. Interactions between functionally different microbial groups within a community can expand habitat range, including the creation of anaerobic microenvironments. Currently, research focussing on exploring the nature of the interactions occurring during cellulose degradation and ethanol production within mixed microbial communities has been limited. The aim of this study was to enrich and characterize a cellulolytic bacterial community, and determine if ethanol is a major soluble end-product. Cellulolytic activity by the community was observed in both non-reduced and pre-reduced media, with ethanol and acetate being major fermentation products. Similar results were obtained when sterile wastewater extract was provided as nutrient. Several community members showed high similarity to Clostridium species with overlapping metabolic capabilities, suggesting clostridial functional redundancy.