Characteristics of fermentative hydrogen production by the chemoheterotrophic bacterium, Citrobacter sp. Y19

Fermentative hydrogen production by Citrobacter sp. Y 19 was investigated in batch culture. Optimal hydrogen production activity was observed at pH 6 - 7 and temperature of $36^{\circ}C$, and hydrogen yield and maximal hydrogen production rate were 1.12 mmol/mmol glucose and 32.3 mmol/g cell${\cdot}$h, respectively. With glucose as a substrate, the bacterium produced ethanol, acetate, and carbon dioxide as major glucose fermentation by-products. Y19 could utilize various sugars such as galactose, fructose, lactose, sucrose, and starch for cell growth and hydrogen production.