Enhanced Biohydrogen Production from Nutrient-Free Anaerobic Fermentation Medium with Edible Fungal Pretreated Rice Straw

Author: mycolabadmin
2018-06-22
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Summary

This research demonstrates an innovative way to produce clean hydrogen fuel from agricultural waste (rice straw) using an edible fungus as a natural pretreatment method. The process is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective than traditional chemical treatments. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides a sustainable way to convert agricultural waste into clean energy • Reduces dependence on fossil fuels for energy production • Offers an environmentally friendly alternative to burning rice straw, improving air quality • Creates potential economic value from agricultural waste materials • Advances development of hydrogen as a clean energy source for vehicles and power generation

Background

With dwindling fossil fuel reserves and rising global energy consumption, renewable energy sources like hydrogen gas have become increasingly important. Biological hydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass is considered promising due to its environmental friendliness and sustainability. However, the crystallinity and heterogeneity of lignocellulose hinders direct bioconversion, necessitating appropriate pretreatment methods.

Objective

To investigate if edible fungal pretreatment could improve hydrogen yield from rice straw without nutrient addition. The study aimed to evaluate the biodelignification characteristics of edible fungus Gymnopus contrarius J2 pretreated rice straw and assess hydrogen production enhancement through direct fermentation by Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum DD32.

Results

The highest hydrogen yield of 5.71 mmol per gram of pretreated rice straw was achieved, 74% higher than untreated rice straw. Lignin removal reached 22.4% with minimal cellulose and hemicellulose loss (13.3% and 17.1% respectively). The crystalline index of rice straw decreased by 46.2% after pretreatment. Hydrogen production from pretreated rice straw remained high even without nutrient addition.

Conclusion

Edible fungal pretreatment using G. contrarius J2 proved effective for enhancing biohydrogen production from rice straw. The process achieved significant lignin removal and crystallinity reduction while preserving valuable cellulose and hemicellulose. The pretreated biomass supported efficient hydrogen production even without additional nutrients, suggesting an economically and technically feasible approach for biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to hydrogen.

Published in:RSC Advances,
Study Type:Laboratory Research,
Source: 10.1039/c8ra03361g