Methane as a carbon substrate for the production of microbial cells

Abstract

Abstract The cultivation of aerobic, methane‐utilizing, microbial cells by submerged culture techniques, in an entirely mineral salts medium, with a view to their use as an edible protein source is discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the potentially explosive nature of gaseous mixtures containing methane and oxygen. The experiments described investigate if fully safe operation at all times, by oxygen concentration control, is possible in agitated and sparged batch fermentors. Appreciable wastage of methane is prevented by gaseous‐phase recirculation. It is concluded that fully safe operation is possible, cultures being able to grow exponentially without substrate limitation by the gaseous‐phase nutrients.