Electron transport pathways of hydrogen photobiological production metabolism in CCCP-treated Tetraselmis subcordiformis

Abstract:

The CCCP-treated marine microalga Tetraselmis subcordiformis could photo-produce hydrogen for sevaral days. Effect of photosynthetic inhibitors on hydrogen production helped to draw the network of hydrogen metabolism by CCCP-treated T. subcordiformis: at the beginning of hydrogen production, electrons provided to hydrogenase are mainly from photolysis and photofermentation via PS I and electron chain; thereafter, fermentative hydrogen production is considered as the most responsible for providing electrons to hydrogenase, which is independent of photosystem electron transfer chain. Fermentative metabolites assay indicated that light and DBMIB inhibited fermentative ethanol produc-tion that is the competitive pathway for the cellular reducing power, resulting in higher photo-hydrogen yield.