Harnessing of biohydrogen by acidogenic fermentation of Citrus limetta peelings: Effect of extraction procedure and pretreatment of biocatalyst

The extracts of Citrus limetta (sweet lime) peelings were evaluated as a fermentable substrate for hydrogen (H2) production by dark-fermentation (acidogenic) using both anaerobic mixed consortia and selectively enriched acidogenic mixed consortia. Extraction was carried by pretreating sweet lime peelings at 121 °C (1 bar pressure) at variable pH (6 and 7) and digestion time (20 and 40 min). Maximum organic matter extraction was observed at pH 7.0 (40 min). Fermentation was performed at different organic loading conditions [OL1, 1.17 kg COD/m3; OL2, 2.35 kg COD/m3; OL3, 4.69 kg COD/m3] under acidophilic microenvironment. H2 production was found to depend on the concentration of the substrate and composition. Increase in organic load showed consistent improvement in H2 production. Operation at OL3 employing selectively enriched inoculum documented higher cumulative H2 production (10.07 mmol) and H2 production rate (0.345 mmol/h) (pH 7; 40 min). Substrate degradation was also found to increase with increase in organic loading. Maximum substrate degradation (SD) was registered at pH 6 (40 min) with anaerobic culture (2.80 kg CODR/m3; ξCOD 31.82%) and at pH 7 (40 min) with selectively enriched acidogenic culture (3.20 kg CODR/m3; ξCOD 36.36%). Concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) also improved with increase in organic load. Maximum VFA concentration (1098 mg/l) was observed with OL3 (pH 7; 40 min) by using selectively enriched culture.