Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Microbial Communities in Fermentative Biohydrogen Process: An Overview
Amongst the biofuels described in the literature, biohydrogen has gained heightened attention over the past decade due to its remarkable properties. Biohydrogen is a renewable form of H<sub>2</sub> that can be produced under ambient conditions and at a low cost from biomass residues. Inn...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/10/1924 |
| _version_ | 1797471188915585024 |
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| author | Patrick T. Sekoai Viren Chunilall Bruce Sithole Olivier Habimana Sizwe Ndlovu Obinna T. Ezeokoli Pooja Sharma Kelvin O. Yoro |
| author_facet | Patrick T. Sekoai Viren Chunilall Bruce Sithole Olivier Habimana Sizwe Ndlovu Obinna T. Ezeokoli Pooja Sharma Kelvin O. Yoro |
| author_sort | Patrick T. Sekoai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Amongst the biofuels described in the literature, biohydrogen has gained heightened attention over the past decade due to its remarkable properties. Biohydrogen is a renewable form of H<sub>2</sub> that can be produced under ambient conditions and at a low cost from biomass residues. Innovative approaches are continuously being applied to overcome the low process yields and pave the way for its scalability. Since the process primarily depends on the biohydrogen-producing bacteria, there is a need to acquire in-depth knowledge about the ecology of the various assemblages participating in the process, establishing effective bioaugmentation methods. This work provides an overview of the biofilm-forming communities during H<sub>2</sub> production by mixed cultures and the synergistic associations established by certain species during H<sub>2</sub> production. The strategies that enhance the growth of biofilms within the H<sub>2</sub> reactors are also discussed. A short section is also included, explaining techniques used for examining and studying these biofilm structures. The work concludes with some suggestions that could lead to breakthroughs in this area of research. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:45:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c3d913f41f074a25adcb745627b02c30 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:45:42Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-c3d913f41f074a25adcb745627b02c302023-11-24T01:25:29ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072022-09-011010192410.3390/microorganisms10101924Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Microbial Communities in Fermentative Biohydrogen Process: An OverviewPatrick T. Sekoai0Viren Chunilall1Bruce Sithole2Olivier Habimana3Sizwe Ndlovu4Obinna T. Ezeokoli5Pooja Sharma6Kelvin O. Yoro7Biorefinery Industry Development Facility, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Durban 4041, South AfricaBiorefinery Industry Development Facility, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Durban 4041, South AfricaBiorefinery Industry Development Facility, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Durban 4041, South AfricaDepartment of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT), Shantou 515063, ChinaDepartment of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2092, South AfricaUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South AfricaEnvironmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, Singapore 138602, SingaporeEnergy Technologies, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USAAmongst the biofuels described in the literature, biohydrogen has gained heightened attention over the past decade due to its remarkable properties. Biohydrogen is a renewable form of H<sub>2</sub> that can be produced under ambient conditions and at a low cost from biomass residues. Innovative approaches are continuously being applied to overcome the low process yields and pave the way for its scalability. Since the process primarily depends on the biohydrogen-producing bacteria, there is a need to acquire in-depth knowledge about the ecology of the various assemblages participating in the process, establishing effective bioaugmentation methods. This work provides an overview of the biofilm-forming communities during H<sub>2</sub> production by mixed cultures and the synergistic associations established by certain species during H<sub>2</sub> production. The strategies that enhance the growth of biofilms within the H<sub>2</sub> reactors are also discussed. A short section is also included, explaining techniques used for examining and studying these biofilm structures. The work concludes with some suggestions that could lead to breakthroughs in this area of research.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/10/1924biohydrogenbiofilmsfermentationbiofuelsrenewable energy |
| spellingShingle | Patrick T. Sekoai Viren Chunilall Bruce Sithole Olivier Habimana Sizwe Ndlovu Obinna T. Ezeokoli Pooja Sharma Kelvin O. Yoro Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Microbial Communities in Fermentative Biohydrogen Process: An Overview Microorganisms biohydrogen biofilms fermentation biofuels renewable energy |
| title | Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Microbial Communities in Fermentative Biohydrogen Process: An Overview |
| title_full | Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Microbial Communities in Fermentative Biohydrogen Process: An Overview |
| title_fullStr | Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Microbial Communities in Fermentative Biohydrogen Process: An Overview |
| title_full_unstemmed | Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Microbial Communities in Fermentative Biohydrogen Process: An Overview |
| title_short | Elucidating the Role of Biofilm-Forming Microbial Communities in Fermentative Biohydrogen Process: An Overview |
| title_sort | elucidating the role of biofilm forming microbial communities in fermentative biohydrogen process an overview |
| topic | biohydrogen biofilms fermentation biofuels renewable energy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/10/10/1924 |
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