Methylotrophic methanogens in bottom sediments of Lake Baikal

Abstract

Recently many novel lineages of methanogens being suggested via metagenomics approaches. Most of these lineages potentially capable of methanogenesis from ₁-methylated compounds, a pathway that had previously received comparably little attention. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene diversity showed that in the bottom sediments of Lake Baikal methylotrophic methanogens as well as H₂-depended methylotrophic methanogens are represented. However, under cultivation conditions, the addition of methanol stimulated methane production only in the case of microbial communities from upper silts. Among the methylotrophic methanogens in enrichment cultures, representatives of the genera Methanosarcina and Methanomethylovorans were identified.