Biomass to Hydrogen Via An [FeFe] Hydrogenase

The conversion of biomass to hydrogen would facilitate renewable production of a major chemical feedstock and potential fuel. Previous work has shown hydrogen production to be possible via a purified system of enzymes, starting from starch and using a nickel-iron hydrogenase. We have observed higher rates of sustained hydrogen evolution using a different enzymatic pathway coupled to an intrinsically faster [FeFe] hydrogenase. Work is ongoing to recombinantly overexpress all of the required enzymes in vivo; after homogenization, the E. coli cell-free lysate will be used for the production of hydrogen from glucose (a proxy for biomass). A cost model shows favorable economics compared with current ethanol fermentation technologies