Furfural Influences Hydrogen Evolution and Energy Conversion in Photo-Fermentation by Rhodobacter capsulatus

Furfural, as a typical byproduct produced during the hydrolysis of lignocellulose biomass, is harmful to photo fermentation hydrogen production. In this work, effects furfural on production by Rhodobacter capsulatus using glucose substrate were investigated. The characteristics cell growth, production, and end-products with addition different concentrations (0–20 mM) studied. results showed that negatively affected maximum rate total yield. yield 2.59 ± 0.13 mol-H2/mol-glucose was obtained without furfural. However, 5 mM 40% increase in concentration. Furfural high can favor overproduction accumulation inhibitive end-products. Further analysis energy conversion efficiency most underused unconverted when concentration high. consumption (93%) achieved furfural, while it dramatically declined 7% 20 addition. index half-maximal inhibitory calculated 13.40 mM. Moreover, possible metabolic pathway discussed.