초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The effect of biosurfactants (surfactin and saponin) on the hydrogen production from organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was investigated using co-culture of facultative anaerobes <I>Enterobacter aerogenes</I> and <I>E. coli</I>. The biosurfactants were applied in the concentration ranges of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 5.0% each. Cumulative hydrogen production (P), maximum hydrogen production rate (Rmax) and lag phases (λ) were analyzed using modified Gompertz model. Results revealed that both the biosurfactants were effective in hydrogen production enhancement. The maximum cumulative hydrogen production of 743.5±14.4ml and 675.6±12.1ml and volumetric hydrogen production of 2.12L<SUB>H2</SUB>/L<SUB>substrate</SUB> and 1.93L<SUB>H2</SUB>/L<SUB>substrate</SUB> was recorded at 3.5% surfactin and 3.0% saponin respectively. Corresponding highest hydrogen yields were 79.2mlH<SUB>2</SUB>/gCarbo<SUB>initial</SUB> and 72.0mlH<SUB>2</SUB>/gCarbo<SUB>initial</SUB> respectively. Lag phase decreased from 12.5±2.0h at control to a minimum of 9.0±2.8h and 9.5±2.1h at 3.5% surfactin and 3.0% saponin respectively. Volatile fatty acid generation was increased with biosurfactants addition.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Use of biosurfactant is a promising approach for hydrogen production enhancement. </LI> <LI> Biosurfactant type and concentration influence the hydrogen production. </LI> <LI> Surfactin shows better hydrogen production efficiency than saponin. </LI> <LI> Biosurfactants don’t show toxicity at any concentration applied. </LI> </UL> </P>