Flux balance analysis of mixed anaerobic microbial communities: Effects of linoleic acid (LA) and pH on biohydrogen production

The internal fluxes of mixed anaerobic cultures fed 2000 mg l−1 linoleic acid (LA) plus glucose at 6 initial pH conditions and maintained at 37 °C were estimated using a flux balanced analysis (FBA). In cultures fed LA at pH 7, less than 8% of the flux was diverted to CH4. At an initial pH ≥ 5.5, the quantity of glucose removed was greater than 95%; however, at pH 4.5 and 5.0 the quantity consumed were 38% and 75%, respectively. The FBA output showed that the acetogenic H2-consumers were responsible for more than 20% of the H2 consumed. Adding LA and decreasing the pH was ineffective in reducing the activity of acetogenic H2-consumers. As the initial pH decreased, the acetogenic H2-consuming flux decreased in the presence of 2000 mg l−1 LA. A maximum H2 yield of 1.55 mol mol−1 glucose consumed (peak hydrogenase flux (R12)) was attained when the acetogenic H2-consuming flux reached 0.42 mol at a pH of 5.5.

► Internal fluxes of inhibited mixed anaerobic community established using flux analysis.
► Linoleic acid (2000 mgl−1) and low pH uncoupled synthrophic relationship.
► Acetogenic H2-consumers were responsible for more than 20% of the H2 consumed.
► Maximum H2 yield of 1.55 mol·mol-1glucose at pH of 5.5 and 2000 mgl−1 linoleic acid.