Work

Unravelling Metabolic Pathways and Evaluating Process Performances in Anaerobic Digestion of Livestock Manures

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Anaerobic digestion (AD) provides significant environmental benefits by converting livestock manures, such as cattle manure (CM) and pig manure (PM), into biogas and nutrient-rich digestate, supporting circular economy principles. However, challenges arise when feedstock overload disrupts microbial balance, leading to reduced methane (CH4) yields and process instability. This study examined the performance of AD using CM and PM with gradually increasing organic loading rates (OLR). At steady state, CH4 yields were 120.32 mL-CH4/g VS for CM and 229 mL-CH4/g VS for PM. The lower yield for CM is attributed to its high cellulose and hemicellulose content, which exceeds 50% and is difficult to degrade. In contrast, PM showed more efficient carbohydrate degradation, resulting in higher CH4 production. Key methanogens, including Methanocorpusculum, Methanosaeta, Methanosarcina, Methanobacterium, and Methanospirillum, were present in both reactors. Metagenomic analysis revealed that pathways for degrading cellulose and hemicellulose were poorly represented in CM, while PM exhibited enhanced total volatile fatty acid metabolism. This study offers valuable insights into the metabolic pathways associated with CM and PM in anaerobic digestion.

Source: Water

DOI: 10.3390/w17243464

Authors: Hangbae Jun, Rahul Kadam, Sangyeol Jo, Jungyu Park

Institutions: Chungbuk National University, Chosun University

Language: English

Topic: Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Production

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137