Bioconversion of organic carbon to CH4and CO2

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Abstract
The activities of populations in complex anaerobic microbial communities that perform complete bioconversion of organic matter to CH4 and CO2 are reviewed. Species of eubacteria produce acetate, H2, and CO2 from organic substrates, and methanogenic species of archaebacteria transform the acetate, H2, and CO2 to CH4. The characteristics and activities of the methanogenic bacteria are described. The impact of the use of H2 by methanogens on the fermentations that produce acetate, H2, and CO2 and the importance of syntrophy in complete bioconversion are discussed.