Anaerobic Digestion Process from the Viewpoint of Chemical, Biochemical and Microbiological Aspects

Dear Colleagues, 

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is the well-known process of using biomass to produce biogas as an alternative energy source. Despite the many advantages of AD, this process is burdened with complexity, including a high risk of operational instability and sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions. The complexity of the process includes both chemical, biochemical, and microbiological aspects. The pH value is one of the most important chemical parameters determining the course of decomposition of organic matter, since it affects both the chemical reactions and the activity of the bacterial flora. The acetogenic bacteria and methanogenic Archea have strict requirements, are harder to adapt to change, and have a slower growth rate. In terms of the chemistry aspect of the process, the compounds that inhibit the process, those released during the process, as well as those that are part of the biomass, remain problematic. Biochemical and microbiological aspects include the genetic and morphological properties of anaerobic microorganisms and the relevant metabolic pathways. Syntrophic interactions between acetogens and methanogens as well as microbial aggregations deserve special attention. The efficiency of the AD process is highly dependent on microbial community dynamics which are affected by biochemical, environmental, and operational conditions. Metagenomic analyses, used in the study of AD microbiomes, provide insight into the microbial community composition, dynamics of development, and activity or functionality of microbes. Research is mainly conducted to optimize AD but also to achieve specific engineering goals.

Prof. Dr. Agnieszka Pilarska
Guest Editor

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• anaerobic digestion
• biogas/methane
• VFAs composition
• inhibitors
• biochemical pathways
• enzymatic activity
• biocatalysts
• microbial community
• syntrophic interactions
• microbial carrier