Production and consumption of H2 during growth of Methanosarcina spp. on acetate

Abstract

Methanosarcina sp. strain TM-1 and Methanosarcina acetivorans produced and consumed H2 to maintain H2 partial pressures of 16 to 92 Pa in closed cultures during growth on acetate. Strain TM-1 produced H2 continuously when H2 was continuously removed from the culture. The potential physiological significance of H2 in acetate metabolism to methane is discussed.