Hydrogen Photoproduction in Green Algae: Novel Insights and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a promising energy carrier for a future sustainable economy. There are a number of different approaches for the industrial production of H2 fuel. These include steam reforming, water electrolysis, and coal gasification. Nevertheless, the renewable production of H2 remains a challenge. Some photosynthetic green algae possess hydrogenase enzyme(s) and naturally photoproduce H2 gas. Due to the high sensitivity of hydrogenases to O2 and also to other cellular metabolic hindrances, H2 photoproduction is not yet efficient enough for industrial applications. This chapter summarizes different protocols that have been developed thus far for the production of H2 in algal cultures, including two novel and promising approaches, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of these methods.