Comparison of hydrogen and volatile fatty acid production by Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterobacter aerogenes singly, in co-cultures or in the bioaugmentation of microbial consortium from sugarcane vinasse

• Published in: Environmental technology & innovation Vol. 18; p. 100638
• Main Authors: Eder, Ana Silvia, Magrini, Flaviane Eva, Spengler, Andressa, da Silva, Julia Tonioli, Beal, Lademir Luiz, Paesi, Suelen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2020
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion; Bacillus cereus; Bioaugmentation; Co-culture; Enterobacter aerogenes; Enterococcus faecalis; Hydrogen; Enterococcus faecalis; Bacillus cereus; Hydrogen; Enterobacter aerogenes; Co-culture; Bioaugmentation; Anaerobic digestion
• ISSN: 2352-1864; 2352-1864
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2020.100638

Vinasse is a main residue of ethanol production, generated daily in large scale in Brazil. The anaerobic processing of vinasse can be a sustainable alternative for generation of fuel and co-products. The production of hydrogen and VFAs from different concentrations of sugarcane vinasse were evaluated by Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter aerogenes and Enterococcus faecalis singly, as cocultures, in bioaugmentation and by microbial consortium. The increase of vinasse concentration positively affected the production of hydrogen. B. cereus alone showed the higher hydrogen production using undiluted vinasse (100%) (85.41 mmol H2 L−1) and higher yield (5.40 mmolH2 g−1COD), for both vinasse concentration (50, 70 and 100%). The performance of co-culture (B. cereus + E. aerogenes + E. faecalis) was similar (2.45 mmol H2 g−1 COD) to the microbial consortium (2.59 mmol H2 g−1 COD). The bioaugmentation of microbial consortium with B. cereus, E. aerogenes and E. faecalis separately did not increase hydrogen production. Total VFAs yield increased in the 30% vinasse concentration. The main metabolite produced was butyric acid for singly microorganisms and microbial consortium. Whereas acetic acid was predominant in both co-culture and bioaugmentation assays. This study showed the potential of isolated strain B. cereus in the production of hydrogen and VFAs, using vinasse as a substrate, giving a sustainable destination for the residue of high polluting risk. [Display omitted] •B. cereus showed high potential for H2 and VFAs production from sugarcane vinasse.•E. faecalis+ E. aerogenes showed better H2 production than the microbial consortium.•Bioaugmentation of the microbial consortium did not improve H2 production.•Butyric acid was predominant in fermentation with B. cereus and E. faecalis.•In the co-culture and bioaugmentation experiments low VFAs yields were detected.