Potential enhancement of syntrophic metabolism with two carrier materials for biofilm formation during anaerobic digestion of tomato liquid fraction

Biodegradability tests revealed positive microbial interactions to enhance COD removal and methane yield via sugars→butyrate→acetate→methane pathway in both pads. The use of NP and NSCP carrier materials enhanced syntrophisms, impacting FBR performance. In NSCP syntrophic relationships were associated with the acetotrophic pathway that was increased by a DIET; while in NP a competitive exclusion mechanism where the fermenter Trichococcus alkaliphilus successfully competed against obligately-syntrophic acetogens for sugars and fatty acids was observed.