SVOA Microbiology

Emanuel Cipriano Neto Martins^1*, Arion Zandoná Filho²

¹Master in Chemical Engineering, Concentration Area of Chemical Process Development, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil.

²Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Technology Sector, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil.

*Corresponding Author: Emanuel Cipriano Neto Martins, Master in Chemical Engineering, Concentration Area of Chemical Process Development, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Brazil.

https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAMB.2026.07.003

Received: February 10, 2026

Published: April 02, 2026

Citation: Neto Martins EC, Filho AZ. Diversity and Functional Role of Elephant Grass Epiphytic Microbiota in the Efficiency of Anaerobic Digestion: Hydrolysis and Fermentation. SVOA Microbiology 2026, 7:2, 20-36. doi: 10.58624/SVOAMB.2026.07.003

Abstract

The characterization of the epiphytic microbiota of lignocellulosic substrates used in anaerobic digestion is crucial for understanding the initial metabolic pathways of biomass degradation and their direct relationship with fermentative yield. This study integratively evaluated the microbial diversity present in elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and its correlation with the biochemical performance of anaerobic reactors subjected to different operational conditions (stirring, supplementation with sucrose and acetic acid, control). The communities were analyzed through culturing in selective and differential media (MCCK, PSA, SM, TSA, VRBGA and SDA). The results showed that the epiphytic microbiota acts as a decisive modulator of the acidogenic stage, influencing the formation of organic acids, the competition between fermentative and opportunistic groups, and the balance with methanogenic archaea. The findings reinforce the need for integration between microbiological analysis and operational management to optimize biogas production.

Keywords: Microbiological Analysis; Elephant Grass; Anaerobic Fermentation; Selective Media; Epiphytic Microbiota.