Hydrogen Fermentation of the Galactose-Glucose Mixture

Galactose, an isomer of glucose with an opposite hydroxyl group at the 4-carbon, is a major fermentable sugar in various promising feedstock for hydrogen production including red algal biomass. In this study, hydrogen production characteristics of galactose-glucose mixture were investigated using batch fermentation experiments with heat-treated digester sludge as inoclua. Galactose showed a hydogen yield compatible with glucose. However, more complicated metabolic steps for galactose utilization caused a slower hydrogen production rate. The existence of glucose aggravated the hydrogen production rate, which would result from the regulation of galactose-utilizing enzymes by glucose. Hydrogen produciton rate at galactose to glucose ratio of 8:2 or 6:4 was 67% of the production rate for galactose and 33% for glucose, which could need approximately 1.5 and 3 times longer hydraulic retention time than galacgtose only condition and glucose only condition, respectively, in continuous fermentation. Hydrogen production rate, Hydrogen yield, and organic acid production at galactose to glucose ratio of 8:2 or 6:4 were 0.14 mL H2/mL/hr, 0.78 mol $H_2$/mol sugar, and 11.89 g COD/L, respectively. Galactose-rich biomass could be usable for hydogen fermenation, however, the fermentation time should be allowed enough.

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