METHANE AND HYDROGEN PRODUCTION BY HUMAN INTESTINAL ANAEROBIC BACTERIA

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Abstract
The gas above liquid cultures of a variety of human intestinal anaerobic bacteria was sampled and analyzed by headspace gas chromatography. H2 production was highest with strains of the genus Clostridium intermediate with anaerobic cocci and lowest with Bacteroides spp. Very few strains produced CH4, although small amounts were detected with 1 strain each of B. [fragilis ssp.] thetaiotaomicron, C. perfringens and C. histolyticum. There may be a relationship between these anaerobic bacteria and several gastrointestinal disorders in which there is a build-up of H2 or CH4 in the intestine.