Hydrogen Gas Production By a Species of Ectothiorhodospira
Date of Graduation
Fall 1986
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Roar Irgens
Abstract
A hydrogen gas (H₂) producing species of Ectothiorhodospira isolated from Soap Lake, Washington, possessed the nitrogenase enzyme complex. Increasing evolution of H₂ with decreasing ammonium chloride (NH₄C1) concentrations provided evidence that nitrogenase was the catalyst in gas production. Cells were grown in a mineral medium plus 0.2% acetate with sodium sulfide (Na₂S*9H₂0) as electron donor. Syringes inserted into 27 ml stoppered tubes were used to collect the gas. Factors increasing H₂ production included addition of poor nitrogen sources such as glutamic acid, alanine, and serine; addition of reduced carbon compounds such as propionate and succinate; increasing reducing power by increasing sodium sulfide concentration; and increasing the energy charge (ATP) by increasing light intensity. The use of phototrophs in waste treatment with the production of useful by-products such as H₂ is of interest in industrial research.
Subject Categories
Biology
Copyright
© Laurie J Chadwick
Recommended Citation
Chadwick, Laurie J., "Hydrogen Gas Production By a Species of Ectothiorhodospira" (1986). MSU Graduate Theses. 105.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/105
Dissertation/Thesis
