Heterotrophic bacteria growing in association with Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) in a single cell protein production process

Abstract

The methanotrophic bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) grows on pure methane. However, in a single cell protein production process using natural gas as methane source, a bacterial consortium is necessary to support growth over longer periods in continuous cultures. In different bioreactors of Norferm Danmark A/S, three bacteria consistently invaded M. capsulatus cultures growing under semi-sterile conditions in continuous culture. These bacteria have now been identified as a not yet described member of the Aneurinibacillus group, a Brevibacillus agri strain, and an acetate-oxidiser of the genus Ralstonia. The physiological roles of these bacteria in the bioreactor culture growing on natural, non-pure methane gas are discussed. The heterotrophic bacteria do not have the genetic capability to produce either the haemolytic enterotoxin complex HBL or non-haemolytic enterotoxin.

Growth performance and carcase quality in broiler chickens fed on bacterial protein grown on natural gas

“…Thus, the methanotrophic bacteria Methylococcus capsulatus, together with Ralstonia sp., Aneurinibacillus sp. and Brevibacillus agri, have been shown to efficiently convert natural gas into high-quality protein by aerobic fermentation (Bothe et al, 2002). Hence, bacterial protein grown on natural gas may be a novel alternative in the future exploitation of sustainable protein sources with a potential to contribute to the global food supply.…”

Effects of growth substrate and partial removal of nucleic acids in the production of bacterial protein meal on amino acid profile and digestibility in mink

“…The bacterial culture used for BPM production consists of mainly Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) and the heterotrophic bacteria Ralstonia sp., Aneurinibacillus sp., and Brevibacillus agri (Bothe et al, 2002). The methanotrophic bacteria M. capsulatus are found in nature where methane and oxygen are available, growing only on methane or methanol as the sole sources of carbon and energy.…”

Genetic Tools for the Industrially Promising Methanotroph Methylomicrobium buryatense

“…Previous industrial interest in aerobic methanotrophs has included attempts to produce biomass for use as single-cell protein or carotenoids in animal feed (5,6). However, production of biomass from natural gas is complicated by the fact that nonmethane components of natural gas can be toxic to methanotrophs and can also provide substrates for growth of contaminating nonmethanotrophic bacterial species (5).…”

“…However, production of biomass from natural gas is complicated by the fact that nonmethane components of natural gas can be toxic to methanotrophs and can also provide substrates for growth of contaminating nonmethanotrophic bacterial species (5). Methylomicrobium buryatense is a gammaproteobacterial (type I) methanotroph that was isolated directly on natural gas from a soda lake in the Transbaikal region of Russia, a harsh environment with fluctuating temperatures, salinity, and pH levels (7).…”