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H2 synthesis from pentoses and biomass in Thermotoga spp.

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Abstract

We have investigated H2 production on glucose, xylose, arabinose, and glycerol in Thermotoga maritima and T. neapolitana. Both species metabolised all sugars with hydrogen yields of 2.7–3.8 mol mol−1 sugar. Both pentoses were at least comparable to glucose with respect to their qualities as substrates for hydrogen production, while glycerol was not metabolised by either species. Glycerol was also not metabolised by T. elfii. We also demonstrated that T. neapolitana can use wet oxidised wheat straws, in which most sugars are stored in glycoside polymers, for growth and efficient hydrogen production, while glucose, xylose and arabinose are consumed in parallel.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Anne Belinda Thomsen, Risø DTU for supplying wet oxidised wheat straw.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Sohngaardsholmsvej 49, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark

    Niels T. Eriksen, Martin Leegaard Riis, Nikolaj Kyndby Holm & Niels Iversen

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  1. Niels T. Eriksen
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  2. Martin Leegaard Riis
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  3. Nikolaj Kyndby Holm
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  4. Niels Iversen
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Correspondence to Niels T. Eriksen.

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Eriksen, N.T., Riis, M.L., Holm, N.K. et al. H2 synthesis from pentoses and biomass in Thermotoga spp.. Biotechnol Lett 33, 293–300 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-010-0439-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-010-0439-x

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