Question

What types of substrates can methanogens use for the production of methane?

Answer 1

Methanogen - they are prokaryotes , belonging from archaebacteria domain . they produce methane gas as their metabolic biproduct through methanogenesis in anaerobic or hypoxic condition . they are found in wetlands , and ruminants stomach where they produce methane ( CH4 ) gas from various substrate .

methanogenesis - it is the process by which methane gas is produced with the help of methanogens from various substrate . it is a special type of fermentation but quite different from fermentation and respiration . it is a dominant pathway of organic matter decomposition through anaerobic breakdown of carbon compound .

substrate of methanogenesis - substrates of methanogens are organic substrates especially methylated substrate . there are three distinct pathway of methanogenesis based on three different substrate and different methanogens .

acetoclastic methanogenesis - it is common in fresh water sediments , marsh land . in this methanogenesis acetic acid or acetate ( ester of acidic acid ) is used as a substrate for producing methane .

CH3COOH ( acetic acid ) CO2 + CH4

methylotropic methanogenesis - in this methanogenesis methanol or methylamines or methyl sulfate , formate are used by methanogens as substrate to produce methane . it is common for marine sediments .

CH3OH ( methanol ) CH4 + H2O

CH3NH2 ( methylamine ) + H2 CH4 + NH3

hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis - in this methanogenesis hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide , carbon mono oxide are used to produce methane . this type of methanogenesis is very common to all type of methanogens .

4H2 + CO2 CH4 + 2H2O