Anaerobic Biodegradation

Anaerobic Biodegradation – Enzymatic reaction, where the substrate is digested by biological activity.

  1. Microbial degradation of the product under anaerobic conditions
  2. Naturally occurring process
  3. Occurs in swamps, hydro soils, anaerobic digestors, bio-active landfills
  4. It involved four stages

1. Hydrolysis

  • Break polymer down into monomeric compounds, fatty acid amino acid, and sugar
  • Allows cell to assimilate materials
  • Performed by Bacteria, Fungi, and Protists
  • Some bacteria produce cellular scaffolding to attach a cell to the substrate

2. Acidogenesis

  • Monomeric products hydrolysis are fermented into fatty acids, intermediates
  • Performed by acidogens
  • Unbalance acidogenesis can cause acidification
  • Many different types of Fatty acids produced


3. Acetogenesis

  • Acetate production is critical to Anaerobic Digestion
  • Immediate precursor for majority of methane production
  • Some acetate is produced through the direct fermentation
  • Two groups of acetogens, OHPA and Homoacetogens. They responsible for produce acetate, CO2 and H2 from fatty acids and convert CO2 and H2 to acetate through anaerobic respiration

4. Methanogenesis

  • Methanogens produce methane gas from acetate or H2 and CO2
  • 2/3 methane gas produced is derived from acetate

Comparison of different biodegradation methods