Anaerobic digestion (AD) is important environmental biotechnology for converting biodegradable organic wastes into biogas. It has the advantages of not requiring sterilization and being adaptable to changes in feedstock or conditions. The processes in AD are cascade bioreactions with three main steps, (1) hydrolysis/acidogenesis, (2) acetogenesis/homoacetogensis, and (3) methanogenesis, with distinct different groups of functional microorganisms involved, such as fermentative bacteria, acetogens, homoacetogens, hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens.
The toxicants in organic wastes, such as ammonia, metal ions, nanoparticle microplastic fibers, surfactants, and antibiotics, may impair the performance of AD, which can be revealed by physicochemical analyses and potentially augmented by ‘omics’ techniques. Thus, subtopics of interest in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
• Biological strategies used for increasing methane production;
• Carboxylic acids of acetate and propionate production in AD;
• Novel carboxylic acids such as caproate and caprylate production;
• Identification of novel toxicants in organic wastes that are toxic to native bacteria in AD;
• Changes in activity and diversity of native bacteria in AD;
• Biogeography and spatial co-associations of microbiota in AD;
• Changes in hydrolases excreted by fermentative bacteria, such as cellulases and proteinases;
• Resistance mechanisms of anaerobes, such as changing extracellular polymer substrates and the metabolic pathways;
• Studies of bacterial toxicity responses that integrate a range of analytical approaches, such as ‘omics and physicochemical analyses.
Thus, we welcome submissions on all aspects of anaerobe toxicity response, microbiota interaction, metabolic regulation, and management, ranging from pure and defined mixed culture studies to studies in the laboratory and full-scale bioreactors. Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini-reviews, and Perspectives are all welcome.
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is important environmental biotechnology for converting biodegradable organic wastes into biogas. It has the advantages of not requiring sterilization and being adaptable to changes in feedstock or conditions. The processes in AD are cascade bioreactions with three main steps, (1) hydrolysis/acidogenesis, (2) acetogenesis/homoacetogensis, and (3) methanogenesis, with distinct different groups of functional microorganisms involved, such as fermentative bacteria, acetogens, homoacetogens, hydrogenotrophic and acetoclastic methanogens.
The toxicants in organic wastes, such as ammonia, metal ions, nanoparticle microplastic fibers, surfactants, and antibiotics, may impair the performance of AD, which can be revealed by physicochemical analyses and potentially augmented by ‘omics’ techniques. Thus, subtopics of interest in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to:
• Biological strategies used for increasing methane production;
• Carboxylic acids of acetate and propionate production in AD;
• Novel carboxylic acids such as caproate and caprylate production;
• Identification of novel toxicants in organic wastes that are toxic to native bacteria in AD;
• Changes in activity and diversity of native bacteria in AD;
• Biogeography and spatial co-associations of microbiota in AD;
• Changes in hydrolases excreted by fermentative bacteria, such as cellulases and proteinases;
• Resistance mechanisms of anaerobes, such as changing extracellular polymer substrates and the metabolic pathways;
• Studies of bacterial toxicity responses that integrate a range of analytical approaches, such as ‘omics and physicochemical analyses.
Thus, we welcome submissions on all aspects of anaerobe toxicity response, microbiota interaction, metabolic regulation, and management, ranging from pure and defined mixed culture studies to studies in the laboratory and full-scale bioreactors. Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini-reviews, and Perspectives are all welcome.