Role of quorum sensing and quorum quenching in anaerobic digestion: A scoping review

Parthiban Anburajan; Roent Dune Cayetano; You Mit Prohim; Nguyen Tang Thau; Sungmi Kim; Hyeok Kim; Je Hyeon Ko; Hyun-Suk Oh

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.117413

Role of quorum sensing and quorum quenching in anaerobic digestion: A scoping review

Environ Res. 2023 Dec 15;239(Pt 2):117413. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117413. Epub 2023 Oct 13.

Authors

Parthiban Anburajan¹, Roent Dune Cayetano¹, You Mit Prohim², Nguyen Tang Thau², Sungmi Kim², Hyeok Kim², Je Hyeon Ko², Hyun-Suk Oh³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Environmental Technology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.
² Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.
³ Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea; Institute of Environmental Technology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: hyunsukoh@seoultech.ac.kr.

PMID: 37839533
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117413

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a biological process that employs anaerobic microorganisms to degrade organic material, yielding biogas and biofertilizers. Understanding quorum sensing (QS) signaling in mixed microbial systems provides valuable insights into microbial behavior and functions. This review aims to examine recent studies on the roles of QS and QQ in the AD processes. A QS signal molecule, N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL), induce the production of extraceluller polymers, promoting biofilm formation and bacterial aggregation, thereby the efficiency of AD process. QS-assisted granule formation fosters syntrophy between acetogens and methanogens, leading to increased organic removal and methane production. Specific AHLs were shown to be correlated with the abundance of hydrolytic bacteria and acidogens, further benefiting methane production. QQ was shown to effectively control membrane fouling in anaerobic membrane bioreactors, yet its impact on methane productivity remains unclear. This review shed lights on the existing literature gaps regarding the mechanisms of QS and QQ in AD systems, which will play a vital role in advancing AD applications in the future.

Keywords: Anaerobic digestion; Bacterial signaling; Membrane bioreactor; Microbial community; Quorum quenching; Quorum sensing.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anaerobiosis
Bacteria
Methane
Quorum Sensing*
Sewage* / microbiology

Substances

Sewage
Methane