title: Anaerobic digestion of cattail by rumen cultures.
abstract: The anaerobic digestion of aquatic plants could serve the dual roles for producing renewable energy and reducing waste. In this study, the anaerobic digestion of cattail (Typha latifolia linn), a lignocellulosic aquatic plant, by rumen microorganisms in batch cultures was investigated. At a substrate level of 12.4 g/l volatile solids (VS) and pH 6.7, maximum VS conversion of 66% was achieved within an incubation time of 125 h. However, a decrease in pH from 6.7 to 5.8 resulted in a marked reduction in VS conversion. The total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) yield was about 0.56 g/g VS digested. Acetate and propionate were the major aqueous fermentation products, while butyrate, i-butyrate and valerate were also formed in smaller quantities. Biogas that was produced was composed of carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen. A modified Gompertz equation was developed to describe substrate consumption and product formation. The hydrolysis of insoluble components was the rate-limiting step in the anaerobic digestion of cattail.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, The University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China.
authors.forename: Zhen-Hu
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Han-Qing
authors.initials: HQ
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis*; D005285:Fermentation; D006041:Goats; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008954:Models, Biological; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D012417:Rumen / Q000382:microbiology*; D012995:Solubility; D013997:Time Factors; D032401:Typhaceae / Q000378:metabolism*; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile