Validation of a rapid analysis method for the detection of microbial community dynamics in anaerobic digestion (BioFlow 2)

The aim of the BioFlow 2 project is to develop a rapid and cost‑effective method for identifying the structure of microbial communities in the biogas process, and to validate its comparability with DNA‑sequencing‑based methods. A faster and more affordable method for determining microbial community composition would enable microbe‑level monitoring of biogas processes for a wider range of operators, including those outside research projects.

The project monitors the microbial community of a biogas plant under conditions where the hydraulic retention time shortens and the organic loading rate increases as the amount of manure used as feedstock increases. Data collected in the preceding BioFlow project is also utilized in validating the new analytical method.

The goal is to demonstrate the functionality of the new method, while also identifying its limitations. As a result of the project, we will better understand the microbe‑level dynamics that occur during changes in the biogas process, enabling improved prediction and management of biogas process operations.