Full Breakdown
UBC Researchers Identify New Bacterium Enhancing Food Waste Conversion to Renewable Energy
10/27/2025, 11:58:56 PM
Discovery of a Key Microbe
Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have identified a previously unknown bacterium in the Natronincolaceae family that plays a crucial role in converting food waste into renewable natural gas (RNG) at Surrey's processing facility. Each year, approximately 115,000 tonnes of food waste are processed at this facility, where billions of microbes work to transform organic materials, such as banana peels and leftover pizza, into usable energy.
Mechanism of Conversion
The conversion process occurs within an anaerobic digester, where bacteria first break down food scraps into simple compounds like fatty acids, amino acids, and sugars. Subsequently, other microbes convert these compounds into organic acids, including acetic acid. Methane-producing organisms then utilize the acetic acid to generate methane, which is refined into RNG. The newly discovered bacterium is identified as a critical player in this methane production process.
Dr. Ryan Ziels, an associate professor in UBC's Department of Civil Engineering, led the research published in *Nature Microbiology*. He noted that traditional methods failed to identify the organisms responsible for methane production when the usual acetic acid-consuming microbes were absent. By employing a molecular tagging approach, the research team traced carbon in proteins to identify the active microbes.
Resilience to High Ammonia Levels
A significant finding of this research is the newly identified microbe's ability to tolerate high levels of ammonia, which typically inhibit methane production and lead to the accumulation of acetic acid, rendering waste tanks unproductive. Dr. Ziels emphasized the importance of these organisms in maintaining operational efficiency in municipal facilities, stating that their presence prevents costly interruptions in the waste-to-energy conversion process.
Implications for Waste Management
The findings provide insights into why some digesters, like Surrey's, continue to produce energy under challenging conditions, while others do not. The research suggests that high-ammonia environments may actually benefit these key microbes, paving the way for more efficient designs in waste management systems.
Dr. Ziels and his team are now applying the same molecular tagging technique to study microbial communities involved in breaking down microplastics in the ocean, indicating the broader applicability of their research.
Official Statements
Jamie King, director of innovation and measurement at FortisBC, expressed support for the research, highlighting its potential real-world impact on British Columbia's energy solutions. He noted that advancements in understanding anaerobic digestion could enable facilities like Surrey Biofuels to produce more RNG from the same amount of organic waste.
Verbatim Quotes
“Converting waste to methane is a cooperative process involving multiple interacting microbes,” — Dr. Steven Hallam, Professor, UBC Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
“Next time you toss your scraps in the compost bin, remember: you're not just composting.” — Dr. Ryan Ziels, Associate Professor, UBC Department of Civil Engineering.
