Isolation and characterization of novel bacterial strain from sewage sludge and exploring its potential for hydrogen production.

Abstract

Hydrogen (H2) energy has garnered significant attention due to its numerous advantages. Nonetheless, for future commercialization, it is imperative to screen and identify strains with enhanced H2-producing capacities. In order to attain a high and consistent production performance, the conversion of biomass sources into H2 requires careful selection of the most appropriate H2-producing bacteria. This study aimed to isolate and identify a highly effective H2 producing bacteria from local sewage sludge and assess its fermentability for H2 production. The isolate was first identified by means of morphological, phenotypic, biological, and 16S rRNA investigations. A facultative anaerobe that produces H2 and is gram-negative was identified as Alcaligenes ammonioxydans strain SRAM. For the purpose of determining whether the isolate could produce H2 using glucose as the substrate, its fermentability was evaluated in 500 mL serum bottles. This strain demonstrated the ability to produce H2 from glucose under anaerobic environment, achieving a maximum H2 yield of 2.9mol H₂/mol of glucose. The highest rate of H2 production, 9.261 mmol H₂/ g dry cell weight per hr, was attained at 37°C and an initial pH of 6.8. This work effectively illustrated the use of a novel locally isolated strain in the biotechnological conversion of glucose to H2. This strategy offers an effective remedy for the world's energy instability in addition to addressing environmental issues related to industrial operations.