Impact of several antibiotics and 2-bromoethanesulfonate on the volatile fatty acid degradation, methanogenesis and community structure during thermophilic anaerobic digestion.
The main aim of the present study was to gain insight into the stability of an anaerobic digestion process suffering from exposure to antibiotics and the methanogenic inhibitor 2-bromoethanesulfonate (BES). For this purpose, eleven antibiotics and BES were investigated with regard to the degradation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), methanogenesis, and impact on the microbial community structure. Only neomycin, gentamicin, rifampicin, and BES showed complete inhibitions of VFA degradations. This points to distinct interferences with important trophic degradation cascades. Based upon DGGE and sequencing approaches, Methanosarcina spp. were severely influenced by the treatments while hydrogenotrophic methanogens were less affected. Interestingly, BES and neomycin inhibited the degradation of acetate while only BES inhibited methanogenesis completely. It seems that Methanosarcina spp. were mandatory for the degradation of acetate at high rates. The present results highly emphasize the detrimental effects of antimicrobial compounds with the potential to significantly inhibit the anaerobic digestion.
University of Innsbruck, Institute of Microbiology, Technikerstr. 25d, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: philipp.lins@uibk.ac.at.
Philipp
P
Lins
University of Innsbruck, Institute of Microbiology, Technikerstr. 25d, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Christoph
C
Reitschuler
University of Innsbruck, Institute of Microbiology, Technikerstr. 25d, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Paul
P
Illmer
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000693:Anaerobiosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism*; D017020:Methanosarcina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D059013:Microbial Consortia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; C018853:2-bromoethanesulfonic acid
2-Bromoethanesulfonate; Anaerobic digestion; Antibiotics; Inhibition; Volatile fatty acids