AUTHOR=Li Yuqi , Hou Zhesheng , Shi Qicheng , Cheng Yanfen , Zhu Weiyun 

TITLE=Methane Production From Different Parts of Corn Stover via a Simple Co-culture of an Anaerobic Fungus and Methanogen

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2020.00314

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2020.00314

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=To determine ways to improve the utilization of corn stover for methane production, this study investigated the  methane production from different parts of corn stover using a simple co-culture of an anaerobic fungus (Pecoramyces sp.) and methanogen (Methanobrevibacter sp.). The simple co-culture was incubated with the stem pith, leaf blade, or stem bark of corn stover (as substrates) at 39°C for 72 h. Results showed that the stem bark had the lowest (P < 0.05) digestibility (38.0% ± 1.36%) and neutral detergent solubles, i.e., cell solubles (31.6% ± 0.45%), and the highest (P < 0.05) lignin content (4.8% ± 0.56%). The leaf blade had a significantly higher methane conversion rate (56.6 ± 0.76 mL/g digested substrate) than the stem pith (49.2 ± 1.60 mL/g digested substrate), even though they showed similar levels of methane production (42.4 ± 1.00 mL and 40.9 ± 1.35 mL, respectively). Both the leaf blade and stem pith of corn stover have the potential to produce methane in a simple co-culture of an anaerobic fungus and methanogen.