Insight into enhanced acetic acid production from food waste in anaerobic hydrolysis/acidification with Fe3O4 supplementation

Fe3O4 supplementation has been reported as a high-efficient approach to enhance biogas production in anaerobic digestion (AD). Volatile fatty acids (VFAs), especially acetic acid (HAc), are considered as important products in acidification process of AD. However, the possible mechanisms involved in promotion effect of Fe3O4 on HAc production in hydrolysis and acidification processes of AD have not been comprehensively studied. This study first investigated the promotion effect of Fe3O4 on hydrolysis, acidogenesis and acetogenesis stages of AD and proposed the underlying mechanisms, using food waste (FW) as the feedstock, which is considered as the most suitable substrate for VFAs production. Results indicated that the HAc production (77.38 g-C/kg-VS) was enhanced by 79 % in AD of FW with addition of 10 g/L Fe3O4. The duration to reach the maximum HAc pro-duction was also shortened from 14 days to 10 days. The AD tests using model substrates revealed that Fe3O4 enhanced hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and degradation of propionic acid, thus resulting in enhanced HAc production. The enhanced activities of hydrolytic and acid-forming enzymes, and electron transport system (ETS) with Fe3O4 addition further demonstrated its function as an electron acceptor to stimulate electron transfer and accelerate microbial metabolisms in AD, which contributed to the enhanced HAc production from FW.

Automated summary

This study comprehensively investigated the promotion effect of Fe3O4 on HAc production in anaerobic digestion. The results showed that the addition of Fe3O4 significantly enhanced the production of HAc and shortened the time required to reach maximum production. Fe3O4 promoted hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and degradation of propionic acid, leading to increased HAc production. Furthermore, Fe3O4 enhanced the activities of hydrolytic and acid-forming enzymes, as well as the electron transport system, accelerating microbial metabolism and contributing to the enhanced HAc production.