A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book
Engineering Photobiological H2-Production
Authors: Linda Vuorijoki, Pauli Kallio, Patrik R. Jones
Editors: Rakesh Bajpai, Aleš Prokop, Mark Zappi
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication year: 2014
Book title : Algal Biorefineries
Volume: 1
First page : 203
Last page: 216
ISBN: 978-94-007-7493-3
eISBN: 978-94-007-7494-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7494-0_8(external)
Web address : http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-94-007-7494-0_8(external)
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.
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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