Comparison of hydrogen production by four representative hydrogen-producing bacteria

The characteristics of hydrogen production by four different hydrogen-producing bacteria (Clostridium beijerinckii, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, anaerobic bacteria isolated from sludge digester and Bacillus megaterium) were investigated quantitatively. The mathematical analysis using Gompertz equation showed that C. beijerinckii was the best hydrogen producer from glucose in terms of hydrogen-production potential and specific hydrogen-production rate. However, the bacteria required relatively long lag time at high-initial glucose concentration. The anaerobic bacteria showing the highest maximum hydrogen-production rate and relatively short lag time have a limit of low-hydrogen-production potential because they are mixed culture and produce some amount of methane gas. C. beijerinckii will be used in the actual system for hydrogen production from carbohydrate but the anaerobic bacteria may be a good choice for the production of hydrogen from wastewater containing innumerable compounds.