Photoautotrophic hydrogen production by eukaryotic microalgae under aerobic conditions.
Eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria produce hydrogen under anaerobic and limited aerobic conditions. Here we show that novel microalgal strains (Chlorella vulgaris YSL01 and YSL16) upregulate the expression of the hydrogenase gene (HYDA) and simultaneously produce hydrogen through photosynthesis, using CO2 as the sole source of carbon under aerobic conditions with continuous illumination. We employ dissolved oxygen regimes that represent natural aquatic conditions for microalgae. The experimental expression of HYDA and the specific activity of hydrogenase demonstrate that C. vulgaris YSL01 and YSL16 enzymatically produce hydrogen, even under atmospheric conditions, which was previously considered infeasible. Photoautotrophic H2 production has important implications for assessing ecological and algae-based photolysis.
Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do 220-710, South Korea.
Jae-Hoon
JH
Hwang
1] Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do 220-710, South Korea [2] Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 212 Sackett Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Hyun-Chul
HC
Kim
Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do 220-710, South Korea.
Jeong-A
JA
Choi
1] Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do 220-710, South Korea [2] Department of Environmental Biotechnology, City of Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg El Arab City, Alexandria 21934, Egypt.
R A I
RA
Abou-Shanab
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 212 Sackett Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
Brian A
BA
Dempsey
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, 212 Sackett Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
John M
JM
Regan
School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Pusan National University, Jang Jeon-Dong, Keum Jung-Gu, Busan 609-735, South Korea.
Jung Rae
JR
Kim
Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-747, South Korea.
Hocheol
H
Song
Geologic Environment Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon 305-350, South Korea.
In-Hyun
IH
Nam
Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute, Gangneung 210-340, South Korea.
Su-Nam
SN
Kim
Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute, Gangneung 210-340, South Korea.
Woojung
W
Lee
Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do 220-710, South Korea.
Donghee
D
Park
Geologic Environment Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon 305-350, South Korea.
Yongje
Y
Kim
Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute, Gangneung 210-340, South Korea.
Jaeyoung
J
Choi
Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do 220-710, South Korea.
Min-Kyu
MK
Ji
Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do 220-710, South Korea.
Woosik
W
Jung
Department of Environmental Engineering, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwon-do 220-710, South Korea.
Byong-Hun
BH
Jeon
D000332:Aerobiosis; D052818:Autotrophic Processes; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000378:metabolism*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis
D006859:Hydrogen; D010100:Oxygen