Microbial Diversity in Thermophilic Adaptation on Pome Treatment

Microbial diversity in a thermopilic UASB reactor producing biogas from palm oil mill effluent (POME) was investigated. The PCR-based DGGE analysis showed that the microbial population profiles changed with the temperature transition from mesophilic to thermophilic conditions. Acetotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens were found in all three phases: the seed sludge, transition from mesophilic to thermophilic condition and operation under the thermophilic condition. The hydrolytic and acidogenic bacteria were found in the seed sludge, while only hydrolytic bacteria were found during the transition and hydrolytic, acidogenic and acetogenic bacteria were presented under the thermophilic condition. The microbial profiles were highly diversified under the thermophilic condition. The results suggested that the temperature transition strategy was suitable for proliferation of the microorganisms both in the seed sludge and in POME.