Publication details
Physiological and genomic characterization of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain Z-73A, an isolate from deep underground
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Type | Peer-reviewed scientific article |
| Magazine / Source | BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2026.135519 |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2026.135519 |
| Keywords | Methane; CO2 capture; Biomethanation; Nanosilver; Anaerobic corrosion; Methanogens; Archaea |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Underground biomethanation represents a promising solution for green energy storage. An isolate of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus was obtained in previous study from an underground gas reservoir where it played a key role in a successful in-situ biomethanation experiment. In this study, the physiological and environmental tolerances of the strain are characterised. Optimal methane evolution rates were observed at 55–65 °C and pH 6.5–7.0, methane production was significantly increased by agitation (up to 2.29 mmol CH4·h-1·L-1). The strain showed higher tolerance to NH4Cl (up to 0.6 M) than to NaCl (optimal 0.04–0.4 M). The strain was also tested for its resistance to silver nanoparticles. The whole-genome sequence of the strain was determined, and the corrosion potential was evaluated. To visualise the cells, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and a method of Advanced Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (A-ESEM) were used. These findings describe the behaviour of M. thermautotrophicus under suboptimal conditions and highlight the need for further optimization to improve methane production yields. |
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