title: Electrochemical control of redox potential affects methanogenesis of the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus.
abstract: To investigate the precise effect of the redox potential on the methanogenesis of the hydrogenotrophic methanogen Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus by using an electrochemical redox controlling system without adding oxidizing or reducing agents. A bioelectrochemical system was applied to control the redox conditions in culture and to measure the methane-producing activity of M. thermautotrophicus at a constant potential from +0·2 to -0·8 V (vs Ag/AgCl). Methane production and growth of M. thermautotrophicus were 1·6 and 3·5 times increased at -0·8 V, compared with control experiments without electrolysis, respectively, while methanogenesis was suppressed between +0·2 and -0·2 V. A clear relationship between an electrochemically regulated redox potential and methanogenesis was revealed.
authors: Biotechnology Sector, Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Abiko, Japan. s-hirano@criepi.denken.or.jp
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Hirano
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Matsumoto
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Morita
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Sasaki
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Ohmura
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004572:Electrolysis; D008697:Methane / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017013:Methanobacteriaceae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D008697:Methane