Fungal pretreatment enhances hydrogen production via thermophilic fermentation of cornstalk

A promising fungal pretreatment method was developed for enhancing hydrogen production via thermophilic fermentation of raw cornstalk mixed with the pretreated cornstalk by Trichoderma reesei Rut C-30. In comparison with mesophilic hydrogen fermentation at 35 °C, thermophilic hydrogen fermentation at 55 °C gave higher hydrogen production from the mixed cornstalk because higher cellulase activity under thermophilic condition was favorable to lignocellulose hydrolysis. When the pretreated cornstalk was mixed with the raw cornstalk at an optimal blending ratio of 1:5, the cumulative hydrogen volume reached the maximum level of 194.9 mL, which was 209% of that obtained in direct fermentation of raw cornstalk. The present results indicated that the fungal pretreatment had a great potential to enhance the bioconversion efficiency of lignocellulosic waste to renewable hydrogen energy.

► A fungal pretreatment method has been developed for enhancing hydrogen production.
► Thermophilic fermentation is good for hydrogen production from fungus-pretreated stalk.
► Fungal pretreatment enhances bioconversion efficiency of cornstalk to renewable energy.