Thermophilic fermentative hydrogen production from various carbon sources by anaerobic mixed cultures

► Various carbon sources were tested for thermophilic fermentative H2 production. ► When pH was not controlled, glucose, galactose, and sucrose showed high performance. ► By pH control, the fermentation performance was enhanced but to a different extent. ► H2 yield was: sucrose > galactose > glucose > cellobiose > starch > xylose. ► Acetate and butyrate were the main liquid-state metabolites of all carbon sources.