Methanogenesis pure cultures

Some of the early studies of the chemical mechanisms of methane formation by methanogens were carried out with mixed cultures and a single substrate. It was observed that some of the pure substrates can sometimes be converted almost quantitatively to methane and carbon dioxide. The yields of new cellular biomass during methanogenesis are small. The stoichiometries of several of the observed reactions are as follows ... 

Janssen, P.H. and P. Frenzel. 1997. Inhibition of methanogenesis by methyl fluoride studies of pure and defined mixed cultures of anaerobic bacteria and archaea. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63 4552-4557. 

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