More than one way to skin a cat: Some strictly anaerobic bacteria grow in the presence of methane and nitrite, forming CO2 and N2. Recently published experimental evidence suggests the involvement of a NO dismutase and of a particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) in the process. Both enzymes are lacking in microorganisms that catalyze anaerobic methane oxidation with sulfate. There are thus at least two pathways that enable anaerobes to use methane as fuel.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Rudolf Kurt Thauer (2010) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context:
More from Angewandte Chemie International Edition