Journal of Energy Bioscience 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 301-313 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 301 Feature Review Open Access Efficiency and Condition Optimization of Biohydrogen Production Using Marine Algae ManmanLi Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding email: manman.li@hibio.org Journal of Energy Bioscience, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0028 Received: 04 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 12 Sep., 2024 Published: 28 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li M.M., 2024, Efficiency and condition optimization of biohydrogen production using marine algae, Journal of Energy Bioscience, 15(5): 301-313 (doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0028) Abstract This study optimizes the efficiency and conditions for biohydrogen production using algae, with a focus on enhancing the efficiency of the hydrolysis step during dark fermentation and improving photobiological hydrogen production. The study identifies macroalgae as an efficient biomass source for biohydrogen production, emphasizing the importance of pretreatment to enhance hydrolysis. Detoxification techniques are crucial to control inhibitory substances formed during pretreatment. Additionally, the use of oxygen scavengers such as sodium sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium dithionite significantly improves photobiological hydrogen production in Chlorococcum minutum, with sodium sulfite showing the highest efficiency. The review also highlights the potential of green algae and cyanobacteria as sustainable sources for biohydrogen, bioethanol, and biodiesel, and discusses the economic and environmental benefits of these methods. The findings suggest that optimizing pretreatment methods and using effective oxygen scavengers can significantly enhance biohydrogen production from marine algae. This not only provides a sustainable and clean energy source but also supports the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Further research into the economic feasibility and commercialization potential of these methods is recommended. Keywords Biohydrogen; Marine algae; Pretreatment; Oxygen scavengers; Sustainable energy; Circular bioeconomy 1 Introduction Biohydrogen (BioH2) is emerging as a promising alternative to conventional fossil fuels due to its high energy efficiency and environmentally friendly nature. Unlike fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, biohydrogen combustion produces only water as a byproduct, making it a clean energy carrier (Goswami et al., 2020; Mona et al., 2020; Sharma et al., 2021). The increasing depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the urgent need to mitigate climate change have driven extensive research into renewable energy sources, with biohydrogen production being a focal point (Anto et al., 2020; Jiménez-Llanos et al., 2020). Various methods, including photofermentation, dark fermentation, and microbial electrolysis, have been explored for biohydrogen production, each offering unique advantages and challenges (Bhatia et al., 2020; Kanwal and Torriero, 2022). Marine algae, including both microalgae and macroalgae, have gained attention as a viable feedstock for biohydrogen production. Algae are considered a third-generation biofuel feedstock due to their rapid growth rates, high biomass yields, and ability to capture carbon dioxide, thus contributing to carbon sequestration (Nagarajan et al., 2020; Kumar et al., 2021). Microalgae, such as Chlorella sp., and macroalgae, such as Saccharina latissima, have shown significant potential in biohydrogen production through various metabolic pathways, including direct and indirect photolysis, dark fermentation, and photofermentation (Lin et al., 2019; Jiménez-Llanos et al., 2020). The use of marine algae not only supports sustainable energy production but also aids in wastewater treatment and the reduction of environmental pollutants (Mona et al., 2020; Sharma et al., 2021). Optimizing the conditions for biohydrogen production is crucial to enhance yield and make the process economically viable. Factors such as growth techniques, growth media, pretreatment methods, and operational parameters (e.g., temperature, light intensity, nutrient concentration) significantly impact biohydrogen productivity (Anto et al., 2020; Nagarajan et al., 2020; Sharma et al., 2021). Effective pretreatment of algal
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