title: Demonstration of hydrogenase electrode operation in a bioreactor.
abstract: This work describes the first step towards combination of the bioreactor with a starch-degrading microbial consortium and hydrogenase electrode (HE) in one unit for electricity generation. For this purpose, the bioreactor for microbial fermentation was designed with a set of electrodes (pH-sensor, Ag|AgCl reference electrode, Pt-electrode, and HE) inside the bioreactor. Potentials of all electrodes and H(2) accumulation were monitored in the system under the precise pH control. Results obtained with the hydrogen-producing microbial consortium indicated that HE generates the potential equal to the H(2)|2H(+) equilibrium potential. Furthermore, HE was able to catalyze the current generation (200 μA) by consuming H(2) gas produced in the microbial consortium from starch. After 220 h of operation, HE retained at least 81% of the initial activity. Calculations of carbon balance indicated that fermentation products were similar in microbial cells without HE and with HE generating the current due to H(2) consumption.
authors: Institute of Basic Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia.
authors: E S
authors: ES
authors: Shastik
authors: D V
authors: DV
authors: Vokhmyanina
authors: N A
authors: NA
authors: Zorin
authors: O G
authors: OG
authors: Voronin
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Karyakin
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Tsygankov
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D004867:Equipment Design; D005285:Fermentation; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000032:analysis; D006864:Hydrogenase; D013213:Starch / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006859:Hydrogen; D013213:Starch; D006864:Hydrogenase