Agharkar Research Institute has described India’s first cultures of indigenous methanotrophs named Methylocucumis oryzae.
Name ‘methane eating cucumbers’ has been given to this novel genus.
About Methanotrophs (Methane-utilizing bacteria)
- These bacteria oxidize methane and build up their biomass.
- Habitat: Wetlands, rice fields, ponds and other water bodies
- Biofiltering: These bacteria can oxidize methane produced in anaerobic environments.
- When oxygen is present in soils, atmospheric methane is also oxidized.
- These bacterias are natural methane mitigating agents.
- Significance: Tackling Global Warming by reducing methane concentration in soil & atmosphere.
