Characterization of H2 photoproduction by a new marine green alga, Platymonas helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis

A significant improvement in H2 photoproduction was observed in the marine green alga Platymonas helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis in the presence of the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). The addition of 15 μM CCCP to algal cultures led to a 260-fold increase in H2 production compared with a negligible volume of H2 gas produced without CCCP. The photosystem (PS) II photochemical activity was shown to be completely inhibited in the presence of CCCP under illumination. The added herbicide 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea further resulted in a twofold increase in H2 photoproduction in the CCCP-treated cultures. These results demonstrated the absence of PSII-dependent pathway of H2 photoproduction. H2 production essentially depends on electrons donated to the hydrogenase by the endogenous substrate catabolism in CCCP-treated P. helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis. An analysis of the O2-tolerance of the hydrogenase of P. helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis suggested that this enzyme may belong to the class [FeFe]-hydrogenase.

► H2 production by Platymonas helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis was reported. ► Significant photobiological production of H2 gas was observed upon CCCP treatment. ► H2 production was significantly improved in the present of DCMU and CCCP. ► Endogenous substrate metabolism was the main source of electrons for H2 evolution. ► The hydrogenase might belong to the [Fe]-hydrogenase class.