[Methane formation from pectin by a combined Clostridium pectinofermentans and Methanosarcinia vacuolata culture].

The combined culture of Clostridium pectinofermentans and Methanosarcina vacuolata was shown to be capable of methane production from pectin. Hydrogen, methanol and acetate were methane precursors in that case. C. pectinofermentans grew by 67% better in the combined culture comparing to the pure culture. The stimulating action of M. vacuolata cannot be attributed to the elimination of methanol since it has no effect on the growth of C. pectinofermentans on pectin.