Effect of Anaerobic Co-Digestion on Microbial Community and Biogas Production

Fasosin Emmanuel Olufemi*, David Veronica and Hero Godwin

Department of Microbiology, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author E-mail: efasosin@yahoo.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/2754

ABSTRACT: A study was carried out to explore the biogas production potential of co-digestion using chicken droppings as inoculum and different substrate combinations. The various substrate combinations were mixed with the chicken droppings in the ratio 1:1 and subjected to anaerobic digestion using fabricated laboratory scale biodigesters, immersed in water bath and set at 37°C for a period of 30 days. The initial and final pH values of the digesters were recorded. The amount of biogas generated was measured by the method of downward displacement of water from a measuring cylinder. The bacteria and fungi associated with the production of biogas were isolated and then characterized using standard microbiological techniques. The microbial population isolated from the biodigesters include species of Bacillus, Clostridium, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Yersinia, Methanosarcina, Methanobacterium, Penicillium and Aspergillus. It also indicated a slight shift from an alkaline medium to a slightly acidic environment in all the digesters. The result shows that all the substrate combinations demonstrated potentials for biogas production.

KEYWORDS: Biodigesters; Methanobacterium; Penicillium and Aspergillus

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