Methane-eating bacteria turn waste gas into valuable materials

A recent scientific review highlights the potential of methane-eating bacteria, known as methanotrophs, to convert methane—a potent greenhouse gas—into valuable products like animal feed, biodegradable plastics, and cleaner fuels. Methanotrophs consume methane as both a carbon and energy source, naturally thriving in methane-rich environments such as wetlands and landfills. By oxidizing methane through specialized enzymes under mild conditions, these microbes offer a dual benefit: reducing methane emissions while enabling low-energy manufacturing pathways. Researchers are developing practical applications including landfill bio covers, methane-stripping biofilters, and wastewater treatments seeded with methanotrophs to capture and utilize methane effectively. However, the review also cautions that methane removal via methanotrophs can sometimes increase emissions of nitrous oxide, another potent greenhouse gas, due to microbial competition for metals. Therefore, designing systems that balance reductions in both gases is critical. Beyond emission control, methanotrophs can act as biological factories producing methanol,