MICROBIAL HYDROGEN PRODUCTION FROM REPLENISHABLE RESOURCES

It is estimated that more than 90% of the world's present energy needs are provided by fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal, which until a few years ago were regarded as an endless source of cheap energy. However, these fossil fuels represent a non-replenishable natural resource. The cost of oil and natural gas is escalating rapidly, while the world energy demand continues to increase due to population growth and technological development. Therefore, there is a need to develop new sources of energy based on replenishable cheap raw materials. One such approach of potential importance is the use of carbohydrates which are biochemically converted to hydrogen gas by a wide variety of microorganisms. This paper reviews the conditions of microbial growth and metabolism which result in the production of hydrogen gas. It is concluded that microbial hydrogen production represents a potential new energy source and a lot of basic research is needed to establish the economic feasibility of hydrogen production from various microbial systems. © 1979.