Continous hydrogen production by immobilized whole cells of Clostridium butyricum

Clostridium butyricum IFO 3847 was immobilized in polyacrylamide gel. Increase of the polymer concentration decreased hydrogen evolution from glucose by whole cells. The immobilized cells continuously evolved hydrogen from glucose under aerobic conditions. The pH stability of hydrogen production increased with immobilization, and the optimum temperature was 37°C. No difference in the amount of evolved hydrogen was observed after storage for one month at 5°C.