Characterisation of cellulose-degrading organisms in an anaerobic digester

Jan Struckmann Poulsen, Nadieh de Jonge, Williane Vieira Macedo, Frederik Rask Dalby, Anders Feilberg, Jeppe Lund Nielsen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)
122 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The recalcitrant nature of lignocellulosic biomass hinders efficient exploitation of this fraction for energy production. A better understanding of the microorganisms able to convert plant-based feedstocks is needed to improve anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass. In this study, active thermophilic cellulose-degrading microorganisms were identified from a full-scale anaerobic digester fed with maize by using metagenome-resolved protein stable isotope probing (protein-SIP). 13C-cellulose was converted into 13C-methane with a 13/12C isotope ratio of 0.127 after two days of incubation. Metagenomic analysis revealed 238 different genes coding for carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), six of which were directly associated with cellulose degradation. The protein-SIP analysis identified twenty heavily labelled peptides deriving from microorganisms actively assimilating labelled carbon from the degradation of 13C-cellulose, highlighting several members of the order Clostridiales. Corynebacterium was identified through CAZyme screening, amplicon analysis, and in the metagenome giving a strong identification of being a cellulose degrader.

Original languageEnglish
Article number126933
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume351
ISSN0960-8524
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2022

Keywords

  • Anaerobic digestion
  • Lignocellulosic biomass
  • Metaproteomics
  • Microbial community
  • Protein stable isotope probing

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