Metabolic Regulation in Methanogenic Bacteria with Potential Influence on the Performance of Biomass Digesters

The conversion of biomass to methane requires interaction of metabolic groups of anaerobic bacteria that are highly interdependent on each other. The rate and reliability of biomass conversion is sensitive to the metabolism of the methanogenic bacteria. Biochemical and genetic factors controlling enzyme activities and synthesis of enzymes have been identified that may influence the metabolism of these organisms and in turn the performance of biomass digesters. Further understanding of these factors may lead to methods that increase the rate and reliability of biomass conversion to methane.