초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>The effect of coculture of <I>Clostridium butyricum</I> and <I>Escherichia coli</I> on hydrogen production was investigated. <I>C. butyricum</I> and <I>E. coli</I> were grown separately and together as batch cultures. Gas production, growth, volatile fatty acid production and glucose degradation were monitored. Whilst <I>C. butyricum</I> alone produced 2.09 mol-H<SUB>2</SUB>/mol-glucose the coculture produced 1.65 mol-H<SUB>2</SUB>/mol-glucose. However, the coculture utilized glucose more efficiently in the batch culture, i.e., it was able to produce more H<SUB>2</SUB> (5.85 mmol H<SUB>2</SUB>) in the same cultivation setting than <I>C. butyricum</I> (4.62 mmol H<SUB>2</SUB>), before the growth limiting pH was reached.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P><P>► Batch fermentations of <I>C. butyricum</I> and <I>E. coli</I> solely and as a coculture. ► <I>E. coli</I> produced 1.45, <I>C. butyricum</I> 2.09 and coculture 1.65 mol-H<SUB>2</SUB>/mol-glucose. ► Yield of H<SUB>2</SUB> by <I>C. butyricum</I> solely was highest. ► Coculture used glucose most efficiently. ► Total amount of H<SUB>2</SUB> produced by coculture was higher with than with pure cultures.</P>