Biohydrogen production using corn stalk employing Bacillus licheniformis MSU AGM 2 strain

Stalk of corn (Zea mays L.), a commonly available crop residue in tropical and subtropical countries and found in plenty. In this study, we demonstrated that the pretreated corn stalk waste could be used to produce hydrogen. The isolated Bacillus licheniformis MSU AGM 2 strain (HM214759) from the pretreated paper mill effluent produced hydrogen under optimized conditions: carbon source (1 g/l), nitrogen source (12.5 g/l), temperature (35 °C) and pH (6.0). Alkaline pretreatment with 2% NaOH removed lignin by 48% from the corn stalk waste. Pretreated corn stalk ranges from 1 to 5 g/l were tested for the effective bacterial growth and hydrogen production. Kinetic parameters analyzed in 1 l bioreactor showed the maximum hydrogen production and hydrogen yield with 185 ml/l and 82.5 ml/g substrate, respectively. Growth profile and modified Gompertz model at the above mentioned condition fitted well (R2, 0.93). Hence the anaerobic fermentation by the isolated strain had increased the hydrogen evolution rate with formic acid, acetate and butyrate concentrations at the end of the fermentation.

► We suggest the use of lignocellulosic corn stalk in biohydrogen production.
► The cost can be lowered by the use of lignocellulosic wastes as a substrate.
► Isolated Bacillus sp utilized corn stalk effectively and produced hydrogen at 1 g/l
► Bioreactor showed the maximum hydrogen production potential of 185 ml/l
► It has dual benefits in terms of managing the agro residues and green energy.