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Biogas Science and Technology pp 101–115Cite as

Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer in Anaerobic Digestion: A Review

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Part of the book series: Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology ((ABE,volume 151))

Abstract

Direct interspecies electrons transfer (DIET) is a syntrophic metabolism in which free electrons flow from one cell to another without being shuttled by reduced molecules such as molecular hydrogen or formate. As more and more microorganisms show a capacity for electron exchange, either to export or import them, it becomes obvious that DIET is a syntrophic metabolism that is much more present in nature than previously thought. This article reviews literature related to DIET, specifically in reference to anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic granular sludge, a biofilm, is a specialized microenvironment where syntrophic bacterial and archaeal organisms grow together in close proximity. Exoelectrogenic bacteria degrading organic substrates or intermediates need an electron sink and electrotrophic methanogens represent perfect partners to assimilate those electrons and produce methane. The granule extracellular polymeric substances by making the biofilm matrix more conductive, play a role as electrons carrier in DIET.

NRC paper No. 55668

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada

    Charles-David Dubé

  2. Bioengineering Group, Energy Mining and Environment, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Canada

    Charles-David Dubé & Serge R. Guiot

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  1. Charles-David Dubé
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  2. Serge R. Guiot
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Correspondence to Serge R. Guiot .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, BOKU Vienna - University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Tulln , Austria

    Georg M. Guebitz

  2. Institute of Agricultural Engineering, BOKU Vienna - University of Natural Resources and Life, Tulln, Austria

    Alexander Bauer

  3. Institute for Environmental Biotechnology, BOKU Vienna - University of Natural Resources and Life, Tulln, Austria

    Guenther Bochmann

  4. Institute of Agricultural Engineering, BOKU Vienna - University of Natural Resources and Life, Tulln, Austria

    Andreas Gronauer

  5. Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, BOKU Vienna - University of Natural Resources and Life, Tulln, Austria

    Stefan Weiss

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Dubé, CD., Guiot, S.R. (2015). Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer in Anaerobic Digestion: A Review. In: Guebitz, G., Bauer, A., Bochmann, G., Gronauer, A., Weiss, S. (eds) Biogas Science and Technology. Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology, vol 151. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21993-6_4

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