VIOLOGEN DYE INHIBITION OF METHANE FORMATION BY METHANOBACILLUS OMELIANSKII

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Abstract
Low concentrations of methyl- or benzyl -viologen inhibit the formation of CH4 from ethanol and CO2 by washed cells of Methanobacterium omelianskii. Hydrogen, which is normally formed from ethanol, accumulates in greater quantities when CH4 formation is inhibited by viologens. The viologens do not stimulate H2 formation from ethanol in the absence of CO2. Inhibition of CH4 formation by the viologens is not reversed by H2. A variety of other dyes and possible electron acceptors were tested for inhibition, and none was inhibitory in the same low-concentration range at which the viologens were effective.