Effects of temperature, ultraviolet radiation and pectin methyl esterase on aerobic methane release from plant material

Bruhn, D.; Mikkelsen, T. N.; Øbro, J.; Willats, W. G. T. and Ambus, P. (2009). Effects of temperature, ultraviolet radiation and pectin methyl esterase on aerobic methane release from plant material. Plant Biology, 11(s1) pp. 43–48.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1438-8677.2009.00202.x

Abstract

This study examines the effects of different irradiance types on aerobic methane (CH₄) efflux rates from terrestrial plant material. Furthermore, the role of the enzyme pectin methyl esterase (PME) on CH₄ efflux potential was also examined. Different types of plant tissue and purified pectin were incubated in glass vials with different combinations of irradiation and/or temperature. Purified dry pectin was incubated in solution, and with or without PME. Before and after incubation, the concentration of CH₄ was measured with a gas chromatograph. Rates of CH₄ emission were found to depend exponentially on temperature and linearly on UV-B irradiance. UV-B had a greater stimulating effect than UV-A, while visible light had no effect on emission rates. PME was found to substantially reduce the potential for aerobic CH₄ emissions upon demethylation of pectin.

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