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Engineering Photobiological H2-Production

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Algal Biorefineries

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Abstract

Our dominant current fuel sources are consumed at a far greater rate than they are replenished, prompting a search for economically sustainable alternatives for the conversion of solar energy into infrastructure-compatible fuel. Di-hydrogen is an appealing energy carrier due to its chemical versatility and benign impact on the environment upon combustion. Here, we discuss current issues for utilization of photobiological organisms for the direct conversion of solar energy and water into H2. The focus is narrow, centering on cyanobacteria as the catalytic host, with a discussion on the (1) O2-sensitivity of proteins participating in H2-pathways, (2) incomplete oxidation of stored sugars under anoxic fermentative conditions in the dark, (3) thermodynamic limitations associated with NAD(P)H:H2-pathways, and (4) competition for electrons between H2-pathways and host metabolism. It is concluded that several possible scenarios exist without any clear ‘winner’ at this premature stage and that a broad spread of current research targets is most appropriate as opposed to any one single dominant path.

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Abbreviations

[FeFe]:

iron-iron

[NiFe]:

nickel-iron

MBH:

membrane bound hydrogenase

FQR:

ferredoxin:quinone reductase

FNR:

ferredoxin:NAD(P)H oxidoreductase

NDH:

NADPH dehydrogenase

SDH:

succinate dehydrogenase

CET:

cyclic electron transfer

PMF:

proton motive force

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioenergy Group, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6A, 6krs, 20520, Turku, Finland

    Linda Vuorijoki, Pauli Kallio & Patrik R. Jones

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  1. Linda Vuorijoki
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  2. Pauli Kallio
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  3. Patrik R. Jones
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Correspondence to Patrik R. Jones .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

    Rakesh Bajpai

  2. Chemical and Biological Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

    Aleš Prokop

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

    Mark Zappi

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Vuorijoki, L., Kallio, P., Jones, P. (2014). Engineering Photobiological H2-Production. In: Bajpai, R., Prokop, A., Zappi, M. (eds) Algal Biorefineries. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7494-0_8

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