Methane Fermentation

Methane fermentation, anaerobic decomposition of organic substances, associated with the release of methane (see Marsh gas). The fermentation of cellulose by this process occurs in nature on a gigantic scale. It occurs everywhere where plant residues accumulate in large quantities: in soil, silt, manure, the digestive canal of herbivores, etc. One of the causative agents of methane fermentation is Bac. cellulosao methanicus. The decomposition of cellulose carried out by this bacillus begins with the dissolution and saccharification of cellulose by the enzyme cellulase. The resulting sugar then undergoes further butyric acid fermentation with the formation of butyric and acetic acids and the release of CO₂ and methane.