초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Two local hydrogen-evolving strains of purple nonsulfur bacteria have been isolated, characterized, and identified as <I>Rhodopseudomonas</I> sp. TUT (strains Rh1 and Rh2). Lactate followed by succinate and malate supported the highest amounts of H<SUB>2</SUB> production, growth (O.D.660<SUB>nm</SUB>, proteins and bacteriochlorphyll contents), nitrogenase activity, and uptake hydrogenase; the least of which was acetate. Alginate-immobilized cells evolved higher hydrogen amounts than free cell counterparts. Rh1 was more productive than Rh2 at all circumstances. Lactate-dependent hydrogen evolution was more than twice that of acetate, due to ATP productivity (2/-1, respectively), which is limiting to the nitrogenase activity. The preference of lactate over other acids indicates the feasibility of using these two strains in hydrogen production from dairy wastewater.</P>