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Material Transformation and Microbial Community Succession During Anaerobic Digestion of Corn Stover: The Case of KOH Pretreatment

Author

Listed:
  • Weiwei Chen

    (State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
    CHEARI (Beijing) Certification & Testing Co., Ltd., Beijing 100032, China)

  • Jiahui Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Ruiqi Jia

    (Research Center of the Ministry of Education for High Gravity Engineering and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Shanshan Wu

    (State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Hairong Yuan

    (State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Xiujin Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Xiaoyu Zuo

    (State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China)

Abstract

KOH pretreatment is an effective approach to improve the biodegradability and methane yield of crop straw during anaerobic digestion (AD). Linking microbial ecology to system functionality is essential for optimizing anaerobic digestion (AD). This study investigated how KOH pretreatment alters the microbial communities and process performance of corn stover AD by comparing pretreated and untreated systems, using 16S rRNA sequencing to correlate taxonomic and functional shifts with operational parameters. The results showed that pretreated CS exhibited enhanced hydrolysis, with cellulose and hemicellulose removal rates of 61.0% and 53.9%, which were 57.2% and 102.3% higher than UN, respectively, and achieved 24.3% higher cumulative methane production compared with untreated CS. System stability was improved, with lower volatile fatty acid accumulation and faster pH recovery. Microbial community analyses showed increased diversity and accelerated succession, with functional hydrolytic and syntrophic taxa ( Proteiniphilum , Ruminofilibacter ) and mixotrophic methanogens ( Methanosarcina ) enriched, leading to stronger interspecies interactions. These results highlight the dual role of KOH pretreatment in reshaping both material conversion pathways and microbial ecology, providing mechanistic insights and practical guidance for enhancing lignocellulosic AD performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Weiwei Chen & Jiahui Wang & Ruiqi Jia & Shanshan Wu & Hairong Yuan & Xiujin Li & Xiaoyu Zuo, 2026. "Material Transformation and Microbial Community Succession During Anaerobic Digestion of Corn Stover: The Case of KOH Pretreatment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:12:p:6166-:d:1968100
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