Metabolic versatility of anaerobic sludge towards platform chemical production from waste glycerol

• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13248-6
• Publication Date: 2024-07-16T09:02:11Z
• Authors: Carla P. Magalhães; Joana I. Alves; Anna Duber; Piotr Oleskowicz-...; Alfons J. M. Stams; Ana J. Cavaleiro
• Keywords: Dark fermentation; Euryarchaeota

Abstract Waste glycerol is produced in excess by several industries, such as during biodiesel production. In this work, the metabolic versatility of anaerobic sludge was explored towards waste valorization. By applying different environmental (methanogenic and sulfate-reducing) conditions, three distinct microbial cultures were obtained from same inoculum (anaerobic granular sludge), with high specialization, within phyla ( Thermodesulfobacteriota , Euryarchaeota Pseudomonadota ). The are capable conversion through pathways: (i) to methane a bacterium closely related Solidesulfovibrio alcoholivorans (99.8% 16S rRNA gene identity), syntrophic relationship Methanofollis liminatans (98.8% (ii) fermentation propionate Propionivibrio pelophilus strain asp66 (98.6% yield 0.88 mmol −1 (0.71 mg ) purity 80–97% (iii) acetate production coupled sulfate reduction Desulfolutivibrio sulfoxidireducens (98.3% identity). conclusion, starting inoculum, we could drive functional potential microbiota formation valuable products that can be used industrial applications or energy carriers. Key points Versatility for valorization Different conditions lead specialization Biocommodities propionate,