Quantitative determination of 2-mercaptoethane sulphonate as biomarker for methanogens in soil by high performance liquid chromatography using UV detector

► Coenzyme M is quantified for the first time in soil. ► Coenzyme M had shown positive correlation (r = 0.965*) with methanogen activity. ► The method has >96% precision and >90% recovery. ► Coenzyme M could be used as biomarker for methanogens.