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Source- This post on Methylocucumis oryzae has been created based on the article “India can bank on its own natural methane mitigator to tackle climate challenges” published in “PIB” on 7 August 2024.
Why in News?
Global Warming due to methane remains one of the biggest challenges today. It is the second most important greenhouse gas, having 26 times more global warming potential compared to carbon-di-oxide.
Wetlands, ruminants, rice fields, landfills are sources of methane. The organisms that produce methane are called methanogens. Methanogens are the bacteria which oxidise methane and reduce their concentration in the environment.
Recently, the researchers have isolated and described India’s first cultures of the indigenous methanotroph Methylocucumis oryzae from rice fields and wetlands, primarily in Western India.
About Methanotrophs
Methanotrophs are a specialized group of bacteria that utilize methane as their primary carbon and energy source.
Methanotrophs are natural methane mitigating agents. These are methane-oxidizing bacteria, which oxidize methane to produce CO2 and H2O.
About Methylocucumis oryzae
| Aspects | Description |
| About | Methylocucumis oryzae is a bacterium found abundantly in nature, particularly in wetlands and rice fields. |
| Characteristic features | 1. It has an oval and elongated shape, resembling a cucumber, which led to its nickname ‘methane-eating cucumbers.’ 2. Methylocucumis oryzae is a Gram-negative bacterium. It exhibits a rod-shaped morphology and forms colonies that can be distinguished based on their unique characteristics under specific growth conditions. 3. Methylocucumis oryzae oxidizes methane using methane monooxygenase (MMO), converting methane to methanol, which is then processed to formaldehyde, formate, and carbon dioxide. |
| Habitat | These methanotrophs are found in environments where methane and oxygen both are available. Wetlands, rice fields, ponds and other water bodies are the common habitats. |
| Environmental role | 1. M. oryzae contributes to the global carbon cycle by reducing methane levels in the atmosphere. 2. In rice paddies, these bacteria help to balance the methane thereby reducing the overall greenhouse gas emissions from these agricultural systems. |
Applications
1. Agricultural Impact: By promoting conditions that favor the growth of such methanotrophs, methane emissions from rice paddies can be minimized.
2. Bioremediation: M. oryzae and other methanotrophs are being studied for their potential in bioremediation. Their ability to oxidize methane and other hydrocarbons makes them useful for cleaning up contaminated environments, including soil and water polluted with organic compounds.
3. Biotechnology: The metabolic pathways of M. oryzae could be engineered to improve the efficiency of methane conversion processes, leading to sustainable energy solutions.
Constraints in widespread Usage- The current constraint with widespread use of Methylocucumis oryzae is its slow growth. It limits its cultivation on a larger scale needed for mitigation and biotechnological applications.
UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology
