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Nitrogenase-Dependent Hydrogen Production by Cyanobacteria

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Microbial BioEnergy: Hydrogen Production

Part of the book series: Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration ((AIPH,volume 38))

Summary

Cyanobacteria possess three different types of nitrogenases, two Mo- and one V-nitrogenases, all of which catalyse the reduction of the dinitrogen molecule to ammonia accompanied by the evolution of molecular hydrogen. V-nitrogenase is most effective in producing H2 and is, therefore, suited for potential applications in solar energy conversion programs to generate molecular H2 as a clean and renewable energy source. Intact cells of cyanobacteria often show rather little net H2-production due to the concomitant H2-consumption by uptake hydrogenase. The unicellular N2-fixing Cyanothece is currently the focus of H2-production research. Wild-type cyanobacteria are already capable of maximal H2-production and any further enhancement of H2-formation must be achieved by manipulating linear photosynthetic electron transport which is rate-limiting in light- and nitrogenase-dependent H2-generation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botanical Institute, The University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47b, 50923, Cologne, Germany

    Hermann Bothe

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    William E. Newton

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  1. Hermann Bothe
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  2. William E. Newton
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Correspondence to Hermann Bothe .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Pharmacy and BioTechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Davide Zannoni

  2. Dept. of AgriFood Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Roberto De Philippis

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Bothe, H., Newton, W.E. (2014). Nitrogenase-Dependent Hydrogen Production by Cyanobacteria. In: Zannoni, D., De Philippis, R. (eds) Microbial BioEnergy: Hydrogen Production. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration, vol 38. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8554-9_6

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