Abstract:
In the present study, co-cultures of the methanotrophs Methylocella tundrae, Methyloferula stellata, and
Methylomonas methanica were evaluated for improving methanol production with their application. Among the
different combinations, the co-culture of M. tundrae and M. methanica increased methanol production to
4.87 mM using methane (CH4) as feed. When simulated biogas mixtures were used as feed, the maximum me thanol production was improved to 8.66, 8.45, and 9.65 mM by free and encapsulated co-cultures in 2% alginate
and silica-gel, respectively. Under repeated batch conditions, free and immobilized co-cultures using alginate
and silica-gel resulted in high cumulative production, up to 24.43, 35.95, and 47.35 mM, using simulated bio hythane (CH4 and hydrogen), respectively. This is the first report of methanol production from defined free and
immobilized co-cultures using simulated biogas mixtures as feed
