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Methane Production, Microbial Community, and Volatile Fatty Acids Profiling During Anaerobic Digestion Under Different Organic Loading

Author

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  • Paulina Rusanowska

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 117, 10-950 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Marcin Zieliński

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 117, 10-950 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Marta Kisielewska

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 117, 10-950 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Magda Dudek

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 117, 10-950 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Łukasz Paukszto

    (Department of Botany and Nature Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 1, 10-721 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Marcin Dębowski

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 117, 10-950 Olsztyn, Poland)

Abstract

The organic loading rate (OLR) is a crucial parameter in the anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass. Optimizing the OLR ensures a balanced substrate release for gradual hydrolysis, thereby preventing the accumulation of inhibitors that can disrupt methanogenesis. Its significance lies in its direct impact on the stability, efficiency, and overall performance of the digestion process. This study investigated the long-term anaerobic co-digestion of lignocellulosic biomass ( Sida hermaphrodita ) and cattle manure under varying organic loading rates (S1: 2 kgVS/m 3 ·d, S2: 3 kgVS/m 3 ·d, and S3: 4 kgVS/m 3 ·d). Methane production, microbial community dynamics, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles were analyzed. During S1 and S2, methane production was stable, achieving 446.3 ± 153.7 NL/kgVS and 773.4 ± 107.8 NL/kgVS, respectively. However, at S3, methane production declined, accompanied by a pH drop from 7.68 to 6.11, an increase in the FOS/TAC ratio from 0.272 to 0.35, and the accumulation of acetic and propionic acids at the end of the digestion cycle. Microbial analysis revealed that the abundance of Firmicutes increased with higher OLRs, reaching 93.6% in S3, while the Bacteroidota abundance decreased, reaching 3.0% in S3. During S1, methane production occurred through both acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulina Rusanowska & Marcin Zieliński & Marta Kisielewska & Magda Dudek & Łukasz Paukszto & Marcin Dębowski, 2025. "Methane Production, Microbial Community, and Volatile Fatty Acids Profiling During Anaerobic Digestion Under Different Organic Loading," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:575-:d:1576976
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zieliński, Marcin & Rusanowska, Paulina & Zielińska, Magdalena & Dudek, Magda & Nowicka, Anna & Purwin, Cezary & Fijałkowska, Maja & Dębowski, Marcin, 2021. "Influence of preparation of Sida hermaphrodita silages on its conversion to methane," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 437-444.
    2. Marcin Zieliński & Paulina Rusanowska & Aleksandra Krzywik & Magda Dudek & Anna Nowicka & Marcin Dębowski, 2019. "Application of Hydrodynamic Cavitation for Improving Methane Fermentation of Sida hermaphrodita Silage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-8, February.
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