Characterization of the cellulolytic and hydrogen-producing activities of six mesophilic Clostridium species.

AIMS To characterize cellulolytic, hydrogen-producing clostridia on a comparable basis. METHODS AND RESULTS H(2) production from cellulose by six mesophilic clostridia was characterized in standardized batch experiments using MN301 cellulose, Avicel and cellobiose. Daily H(2) production, substrate degradation, biomass production and the end-point distribution of soluble fermentation products varied with species and substrates. All species produced a significant amount of H(2) from cellobiose, with Clostridium acetobutylicum achieving the highest H(2) yield of 2.3 mol H(2) mol(-1) hexose, but it did not degrade cellulose. Clostridium cellulolyticum and Clostridium populeti catalysed the highest H(2) production from cellulose, with yields of 1.7 and 1.6 mol H(2 )mol(-1) hexose from MN301 and 1.6 and 1.4 mol H(2) mol(-1) hexose from Avicel, respectively. These species also achieved 25-100% higher H(2) production rates from cellulose than the other species. CONCLUSIONS These cellulolytic, hydrogen-producing clostridia varied in H(2) production, with Cl. cellulolyticum and Cl. populeti achieving the highest H(2) yields and cellulose degradation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The fermentation of cellulosic materials presents a means of H(2) production from renewable resources. This standardized comparison provides a quantitative baseline for improving H(2) production from cellulose through medium and process optimization and metabolic engineering.