INCREASED H-2 PRODUCTION BY IMMOBILIZED MICROORGANISMS

Viable cells of H-2-producers (Bacillus licheniformis and a mixed microbial culture) were immobilized on brick dust and in calcium alginate beads. In batch culture, cells of the mixed culture in the free state yielded 8.2 l H-2/mol glucose utilized, whereas B. licheniformis evolved 13.1 l H-2. Immobilized cells, however, gave 4-fold more H-2 than the free bacteria. Highest yields were from the cells immobilized on brick dust. High H-2-production rates continued over two rounds of re-use of the immobilized cells.