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Growth Media Efficacy in Biochemical Methane Potential Assays
Citation:
Chickering, G. AND T. Tolaymat. Growth Media Efficacy in Biochemical Methane Potential Assays. Methane. MDPI, Basel, Switzerland, 2(2):176-191, (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/methane2020013
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of this work is to improve the research community's understanding of the biochemical methane potential (BMP) assay and to improve best practices for this protocol. The absence of a current universal method for this assay necessitates investigations and results like those presented in this journal manuscript that is intended to be peer reviewed and published.
Description:
The Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) assay is a vital tool for quantifying the amount of methane biodegradable materials can generate in landfills and similar anaerobic environments. The applications of the test are widespread. While simple in design, the BMP assay can use anaerobic seed from many different types of sources to determine methane potential from nearly any biodegradable substrate. Many researchers have tried many protocols for this assay, both including and excluding the use of synthetic growth medias, intended to provide vital nutrients and trace elements that facilitate methanogenesis and leave the substrate being tested as the only limiting factor in methane generation potential. The absence of a universally accepted protocol led to this project and an attempt to determine the efficacy of adding synthetic growth media to BMP assays. The findings suggest the use of M-1 synthetic growth media, defined in this study, at a volumetric ratio of 10% active sludge: 90% M-1 media yielded optimal results in terms of yield and repeatability.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Growth Media Efficacy in Biochemical Methane Potential Assays
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