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Title
The Optimization of Conditions for Maximum Hydrogen Production in Heliobacterium modesticaldum
Description
Hydrogen has the potential to be a highly efficient fuel source. Its current production via steam reformation of natural gas, however, consumes a large amount of energy and gives off carbon dioxide. A newer method has since surfaced: using a microorganism's metabolism to drive hydrogen production. In this study, the conditions for maximum hydrogen production in Heliobacterium modesticaldum were identified and assessed. The cells were grown under varying conditions and their headspaces were sampled using a gas chromatogram to measure the amount of accumulated hydrogen during each condition. Two cell batches were grown under nitrogen-fixing conditions (-NH4+), while the other two cell batches were grown under non-nitrogen-fixing conditions (+NH4+). The headspaces were then exchanged with either nitrogen (N2) or argon (Ar2). It was found that the condition for which the most hydrogen was produced was when the cells were grown under nitrogen-fixing conditions and the headspace was exchanged with argon. These results suggest that most of Heliobacteria modesticaldum's hydrogen production is due to nitrogenase activity rather than hydrogenase activity. Further research is recommended to quantify the roles of nitrogenase, [NiFe] hydrogenase, and [FeFe] hydrogenase.
Date Created
2015-05
Contributors
- Mcmahon, Savanah Dior (Author)
- Redding, Kevin (Thesis director)
- Ghirlanda, Giovanna (Committee member)
- Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Contributor)
- School of Music (Contributor)
Topical Subject
Resource Type
Extent
18 pages
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Series
Academic Year 2014-2015
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.28984
Level of coding
minimal
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System Created
- 2017-10-30 02:50:57
System Modified
- 2021-08-11 04:09:57
- 3 years 1 month ago
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