Comparative analysis of hydrogen-producing bacteria and its immobilized cells for characteristics of hydrogen production

A strain of hydrogen producing bacteria was immobilized by polyvinyl alcohol-boric acid method,with the addition of a small amount of calcium alginate. The immobilized cells were insensitive to the presence of traces of O2. Moreover, the immobilized cells increased both the evolution rate and the yield of hydrogen production. Batch experiments with a medium containing 10 g/L glucose demonstrated the yields of hydrogen production by the immobilized and free cells were 2.14 mol/mol glucose and 1.69 mol/mol glucose, respectively.In continuous cultures atmedium retention time of 2. 0 h, the yield and the evolution rate of hydrogen producmedium retention time of 6. 0 h, the yield and the evolution rate of hydrogen production by free cells were only 1.75 mol/mol glucose and 362.9ml/(L·h),respectively.