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Bachelor’s thesis: Effect of anaerobic fungal pre-treatment on biomethane potential

22.06.2026, Abschlussarbeiten, Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten

THESIS OBJECTIVES As part of the BMLEH (FNR)-funded project LCR-PILZE, the potential of anaerobic fungi to improve methane yield during biogas production is being investigated in a pilot-scale biogas plant. The main hypothesis to be tested is if biological pre-treatment with anaerobic fungi accelerates degradation of lignocellulose-rich agricultural fermentation residues resulting in a more efficient biogas production. For this, the biogas production of 4 selected anaerobic fungi strains is determined using anaerobic batch reactors. TASKS Determination of biomethane potential (BMP) of anaerobic fungi in batch tests Assessment of lignocellulose degradation efficiency Comparison of the effects of biological pre-treatment of lignocellulosic residues with chemical and physical pre-treatment methods Hands-on work at the biogas pilot plant in Dürnast REQUIREMENTS Enrolled Bachelor’s student in Biology, Molecular Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering or a related field Good theoretical background in microbiology Experience with microbiological laboratory methods, ideally anaerobic microbiology Interest in sustainable biogas production processes WHAT WE OFFER Opportunity to contribute to an interdisciplinary and sustainable research project Training in methods of (anaerobic) microbiology and chemical analytics Insights into technical scale biogas plant Interested? Send an e-mail including a letter of motivation and short CV (incl. relevant expertise/internships etc.) to: cristina.gonzalezrivero@lfl.bayern.de

Effect of Anaerobic Fungal Pre-treatment on Biomethane Potential

Thesis Objectives

As part of the BMLEH (FNR)-funded project LCR-PILZE, the potential of anaerobic fungi to improve methane yield during biogas production is being investigated in a pilot-scale biogas plant.

The main hypothesis to be tested is whether biological pre-treatment with anaerobic fungi accelerates the degradation of lignocellulose-rich agricultural fermentation residues, resulting in more efficient biogas production. To evaluate this, the biogas production of four selected anaerobic fungal strains will be determined using anaerobic batch reactors.

Tasks

  • Determination of biomethane potential (BMP) of anaerobic fungi in batch tests
  • Assessment of lignocellulose degradation efficiency
  • Comparison of biological pre-treatment of lignocellulosic residues with chemical and physical pre-treatment methods
  • Hands-on work at the biogas pilot plant in Dürnast

Requirements

  • Enrolled Bachelor's student in Biology, Molecular Biotechnology, Bioprocess Engineering, or a related field
  • Good theoretical background in microbiology
  • Experience with microbiological laboratory methods, ideally in anaerobic microbiology
  • Interest in sustainable biogas production processes

What We Offer

  • Opportunity to contribute to an interdisciplinary and sustainable research project
  • Training in methods of (anaerobic) microbiology and chemical analytics
  • Insights into the operation of a technical-scale biogas plant

Interested?

Send us an e-mail including a letter of motivation and short CV (incl. relevant expertise/internships etc.)

Kontakt: cristina.gonzalez-rivero@tum.de

Mehr Information

https://www.lfl.bayern.de/zentrale_analytik/354623/index.php