Electron donor effect on nitrate reduction pathway and kinetics in a mixed methanogenic culture

Abstract

The effect of different electron donors on the pathway and kinetics of nitrate reduction in a sulfide-acclimated mixed, mesophilic (35°C) methanogenic culture was investigated. A mixture of dextrin and peptone, glucose, propionate, acetate, and H₂/CO₂ were used as substrates at an initial chemical oxygen demand of 1,500 mg/L and the initial nitrate concentration ranged between 0 and 300 mg N/L. The fastest nitrate reduction was observed in the H₂/CO₂ and acetate-fed cultures. In the case of propionate, nitrate reduction was the slowest followed by partial recovery of methanogenesis and accumulation of volatile fatty acids due to inhibition as a result of accumulation of denitrification intermediates. Similarly, accumulation of nitrite and nitric oxide and partial or complete inhibition of methanogenesis was observed in the H₂/CO₂-fed cultures. Methanogenesis completely recovered in the dextrin/peptone-, glucose-, and acetate-fed cultures at all nitrate levels. Denitrification was the dominant pathway of nitrate reduction in the propionate-, acetate-, and H₂/CO₂-fed cultures regardless of the COD/N value. However, both denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia (DNRA) were observed in the dextrin/peptone- and glucose-fed cultures and the degree of predominance of either of the two pathways was a function of the COD/N value. Therefore, the type of electron donor used affected both the nitrate reduction pathway and kinetics, as well as the recovery of fermentation and/or methanogenesis in the mixed methanogenic culture. Biotechnol. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 756–763.