Difference Between Methanogens and Methanotrophs

Key Difference – Methanogens vs Methanotrophs

Environmental biology is a main branch of biology which deals with processes of the environment. The involvement of microorganisms in these processes is of great importance as it speeds up the reactions and facilitates the conversion of substrates from one form to another.甲烷(CH₄)被任命为温室气体或生物气和我ts cycling in nature is governed mainly by microorganisms. Methanogenesis is a process where microorganisms produce methane from organic sources; Methanogens are the microorganisms involved in this process. Methane digestion is another important process where methane is utilized by microorganisms known as methanotrophs. Thus, the key difference between methanogens and methanotrophs is thatmethanogens produce methane whereas methanotrophs utilize methane.

CONTENTS

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.What are Methanogens
3.是什么菌
4.Similarities Between Methanogens and Methanotrophs
5.Side by Side Comparison – Methanogens vs Methanotrophs in Tabular Form
6.Summary

What are Methanogens?

Methanogens are a group of extremophiles that live in strictly anaerobic environments as they are obligateanaerobes. The presence of oxygen is highly toxic for methanogens. Methanogens belong to the domain Archea. Common habitats of methanogens are anaerobic digesters, anoxic soils and the gastrointestinal tracts of higher level organisms such as ruminants or humans. The process of methanogenesis provides energy for the survival of methanogens and the main substrates involved in methanogenesis arehydrogen,carbon dioxide, acetate compounds and C-1 compounds such asmethanol.

CO₂+ 4H₂→CH₄+ 2H₂O

CH₃COO^–+ H₂O→CH₄+ HCO₃

Methanogens are commercially used inwaste water treatmentprocesses, where anaerobic digestion of organic compounds is carried out. The process of anaerobic sludge digesters utilize methanogens to digest the waste. Methanogens are also used in the process of Bio Gas production where methanogenesis is the final step of Bio gas production.

Examples of methanogens includeMethanococcus, Methanobacterium.

是什么菌?

Methanotrophs or Methanophiles are methane loving microorganisms. They are mostlygram negative bacteriathat have the ability to utilize methane as itscarbonand energy source. Methanotrophic bacteria utilize methane in an enzyme catalyzed reaction to produce carbon dioxide. This process takes place under aerobic conditions (in the presence of oxygen) and enzymes known as methane monooxygenases are involved in this reaction process. Methanotrophic bacteria can undergo two fates depending on its requirement during the process of methane digestion. Depending on the route it takes there are two types of methanotrophs as type 1 and type 2.

Examples of methanotrophs areMethylomonas, Methylobacter, Methylococcus,MethylocystisandMethylosinus.

Methanotrophs are utilized in controlling methane levels in thebiosphereas methane is a strong green house gas which contributes to pollution in the form ofglobal warming. Methanotrophs are also incorporated in digesting methane which is an end product in some industrial processes.

What are the Similarities Between Methanogens and Methanotrophs?

• Methanogens and Methanotrophs are extremophiles.
• Both are involved in control and cycling of methane.
• They are industrially important in waste water treatment processes and solid waste management

What is the Difference Between Methanogens and Methanotrophs?

产甲烷菌和Methanotrophs
Methanogens are microorganisms that are capable of generating methane from organic sources.	Methanotrophs or Methanophiles are microorganisms which are capable of utilizing methane as a source of carbon and energy.
Oxygen Requirement
Methanogens are obligatory anaerobic (Methanogenesis takes place under anaerobic conditions).	Methanotrophs are aerobic (Methane digestion takes place under aerobic conditions).
Precursors of the Reaction
Precursors of methanogenesis are hydrogen, carbon dioxide and C-1 compounds.	甲烷is the precursor of methanotroph reactions.
End Products
甲烷is the end product of methanogenesis.	Carbon dioxide and energy are produced during the methane utilization.
Applications
Methanogens are used in waste water purification plants in anaerobic digesters and sludge treatment systems, and in bio gas production plants.	Methanotrophs are used in degrading methane based products and methane emissions in industrial reactions.

Summary – Methanogens vs Methanotrophs

Methanogens and Methanotrophs are biologically important types of bacteria which facilitate the balance of methane in nature and behave synergistically. Methanogens produce methane which is utilized by methanotrophs as their carbon and energy source. This concept is further utilized in industrial processes of waste management of solids and waste water and is, therefore, a topic of research among the environmental microbiologists. Methanogens produce methane and methanotrophs utilize methane as an energy source. This is the key difference between methanogens and methanotrophs.

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References:

1. Hanson, R. S., and T. E. Hanson. “Methanotrophic bacteria.” Microbiological Reviews. U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 1996. Web.Available here.15 Aug. 2017.
2. Triantafyllou, Konstantinos, Christopher Chang, and Mark Pimentel. “Methanogens, Methane and Gastrointestinal Motility.” Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Jan. 2014. Web.Available here.15 Aug. 2017.
3. Whitman, William B., Timothy L. Bowen, and David R. Boone. “The Methanogenic Bacteria.” Springer. Springer New York, 01 Jan. 1970. Web.Available here. 15 Aug. 2017.

Image Courtesy:

1.” Methanogenesis acetate” Von Yikrazuul (talk) – Eigenes Werk(CC BY-SA 3.0)viaCommons Wikimedia
2. “Methylococcus capsulatus” De (Image: Anne Fjellbirkeland) – The Genome of a Methane-Loving Bacterium. PLoS Biol 2/10/2004: e358. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0020358(CC BY 2.5)viaCommons Wikimedia