What are the two major groups of bacteria involved in anaerobic digestion?

The correct answer is rooted in the specific roles that bacteria play within the anaerobic digestion process, which occurs in environments devoid of oxygen. Anaerobic digestion involves the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, and it primarily consists of two key stages involving different types of bacteria.

Acid formers, also known as fermentative bacteria, are responsible for breaking down complex organic materials (like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) into simpler compounds, primarily organic acids, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. This process sets the stage for the subsequent phase of anaerobic digestion.

Methane formers, also known as methanogenic bacteria, take the products generated by acid formers and convert them into methane gas (CH4) and additional carbon dioxide. This group of bacteria is crucial for the completion of anaerobic digestion, as methane is often the desired end product of the process in biogas production.

Together, these two groups facilitate the efficient conversion of waste materials into biogas, which is an important renewable energy source, as well as contributing to the stabilization of organic waste. The interplay between acid formers and methane formers is fundamental to the success of anaerobic digestion systems used in wastewater treatment or biogas production.

The other options refer to different classifications