title: Surpassing the current limitations of biohydrogen production systems: The case for a novel hybrid approach.
abstract: The steadily increase of global energy requirements has brought about a general agreement on the need for novel renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources and carriers. Among the alternatives to a fossil fuel-based economy, hydrogen gas is considered a game-changer. Certain methods of hydrogen production can utilize various low-priced industrial and agricultural wastes as substrate, thus coupling organic waste treatment with renewable energy generation. Among these approaches, different biological strategies have been investigated and successfully implemented in laboratory-scale systems. Although promising, several key aspects need further investigation in order to push these technologies towards large-scale industrial implementation. Some of the major scientific and technical bottlenecks will be discussed, along with possible solutions, including a thorough exploration of novel research combining microbial dark fermentation and algal photoheterotrophic degradation systems, integrated with wastewater treatment and metabolic by-products usage.
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic University of Timisoara, Victoriei Square, nr. 2, 300006 Timisoara, Romania; Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Biological Research Centre Szeged, Temesvari krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Iulian Zoltan
authors.initials: IZ
authors.lastname: Boboescu
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic University of Timisoara, Victoriei Square, nr. 2, 300006 Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Vasile Daniel
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Gherman
authors.affiliation: Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Biological Research Centre Szeged, Temesvari krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary.
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lakatos
authors.affiliation: Seqomics Biotechnology Ltd., Vállalkozók útja 7, 6782 Mórahalom, Hungary.
authors.forename: Bernadett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pap
authors.affiliation: Szent István University, Faculty of Economics, Agricultural and Health Studies, Szarvas, Hungary.
authors.forename: Tibor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bíró
authors.affiliation: Polytechnic University of Timisoara, Victoriei Square, nr. 2, 300006 Timisoara, Romania; Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Biological Research Centre Szeged, Temesvari krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary. Electronic address: maroti.gergely@brc.mta.hu.
authors.forename: Gergely
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maróti
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000378:metabolism; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D005285:Fermentation; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D006859:Hydrogen; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: Dark fermentation; Hybrid biohydrogen production; Metabolic end products re-usage; Microalgal photoheterotrophic degradation; Wastewater treatment