Methanotrophic Bacteria Culture first time in India
- Posted By
10Pointer
- Categories
Science & Technology
- Published
16th Mar, 2020
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- Scientists at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), have isolated 45 different strains of methanotrophic bacteria which have been found to be capable of reducing methane emissions from rice plants.
- Methanotrophs metabolise and convert methane into carbon dioxide. They can effectively reduce methane emission, which is the second most important greenhouse gas (GHG) and 26 times more potent as compared to carbon dioxide.
- In rice fields, methanotrophs are active near the roots or soil-water interfaces.
- Rice fields are human-made wetlands and are waterlogged for a considerable period. Anaerobic degradation of organic matter results in the generation of methane. Rice fields contribute to nearly 10% of global methane emissions.
- Before scientists at ARI commenced their studies, practically no cultures of indigenously isolated methanotrophs from India were available.
- Bio-methane generated from waste can be used by the methanotrophs and can be converted to value-added products such as single-cell proteins, carotenoids, biodiesel, and so on.
