초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Pretreatment is an essential procedure to enhance the biodegradability when algae biomass is used as substrate for fermentative hydrogen production, In this study the potential of microwave pretreatment for enhancing the hydrogen production from macroalgae biomass <I>Laminaria japonica</I> was investigated. Microwave pretreatment at different temperatures (100–180 °C, 30 min) was explored, algae biomass disruption increased with increasing temperature, while highest hydrogen yield of 15.8 mL/g TS<SUB>added</SUB> was obtained from 160 °C microwave treated algae biomass. Hydrogen production can be indicated by the dehydrogenase activity. After the microwave treatment, hydrogen production process altered from butyrate-type to acetate-type fermentation. Maximum hydrogen yield was enhanced by 1.9 fold compared with the control test. Indicating microwave treatment can be a good candidate in enhancing the hydrogen production from macroalgae biomass.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Fermentative hydrogen production was performed using pretreated macroalga <I>L. japonica.</I> </LI> <LI> Microwave treatment could disrupt macroalgal cells and release organic matters. </LI> <LI> Hydrogen yield and total energy conversion efficiency enhanced by 1.9 fold and 1.8 fold. </LI> </UL> </P>