Continuous hydrogen production by immobilized cultures of Thermotoga neapolitana on an acrylic hydrogel with pH-buffering properties

This communication reports on the continuous biohydrogen production by Thermotoga neapolitana cells immobilized on a stable cationic hydrogel bearing amine groups. This hydrogel was designed to perform two functional activities: to promote adhesion of T. neapolitana cells, and to buffer pH changes in the bacterial cultures. Repeated fed-batch cultures showed an average hydrogen production rate and yield of 50.6 mL L-1 h(-1) and 3.3 mol H-2/mol glucose, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the immobilization of this bacterial strain on a polymeric support.