Abstract
The metabolic conversion of furfural by a methanogenic Archaea, Methanococcus sp., strain B was studied. The organism was grown on H 2–CO 2 in the presence of various concentrations of furfural. Furfural at higher concentrations, namely, 25 and 30 mM inhibited growth of this organism. At concentrations 5, 10, and 15 mM, no inhibition was observed. Furfural was completely (100%) metabolized at the concentration of 15 or <15 mM in the cultures within five days of incubation. The end product observed during furfural metabolism was furfuryl alcohol. An almost stoichiometric quantity of furfuryl alcohol was produced. This biotransformation is likely to be of value in the detoxification of furfural and its ultimate conversion to methane and CO 2 by the anaerobic process.
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