Effect of carbon sources on the photobiological production of hydrogen using Rhodobacter sphaeroides RV

Rhodobacter sphaeroides RV was employed to produce hydrogen for the photo-fermentation of sole (acetate, propionate, butyrate, lactate, malate, succinate, ethanol, glucose, citrate and sodium carbonate) and compound carbon sources (malate and succinate, lactate and succinate). The concentrations of sole carbon sources on hydrogen production were investigated in batch assays at 0.8 g/L sodium glutamate and the maximum hydrogen yield was 424 mmol H2/mol-substrate obtained at 0.8 g/L sodium propionate. The maximum hydrogen yield reached 794 mmol H2/mol-substrate for 2.02 g lactate and 2.0 g succinate as the compound carbon source. The results showed hydrogen production for the compound carbon source was better than the sole carbon source.

► The effect of sole carbon source on photo-hydrogen production was examined.
► The effect of compound carbon source on photo-hydrogen production was investigated.
► Hydrogen production for compound carbon source was better than sole carbon source.