Statistical optimization of process parameters on biohydrogen production from glucose by Clostridium sp. Fanp2

Statistically based experimental designs were applied to optimizing process parameters for hydrogen production from glucose by Clostridium sp. Fanp2 which was isolated from effluent sludge of anaerobic hydrogen-producing bioreactor. The important factors influencing hydrogen production, which identified by initial screening method of Plackett–Burman, were glucose, phosphate buffer and vitamin solution. The path of steepest ascent was undertaken to approach the optimal region of the three significant factors. Box–Behnken design and response surface analysis were adopted to further investigate the mutual interaction between the variables and identify optimal values that bring maximum hydrogen production. Experimental results showed that glucose, vitamin solution and phosphate buffer concentration all had an individual significant influence on the specific hydrogen production potential (Ps). Simultaneously, glucose and vitamin solution, glucose and phosphate buffer were interdependent. The optimal conditions for the maximal Ps were: glucose 23.75 g/l, phosphate buffer 0.159 M and vitamin solution 13.3 ml/l. Using this statistical optimization method, the hydrogen production from glucose was increased from 2248.5 to 4165.9 ml H2/l.