Optimizing cyanobacterial hydrogen production: metabolic and genetic strategies with glycerol supplementation
IntroductionDeveloping sustainable hydrogen production is critical for advancing renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Cyanobacteria, which harness solar energy through photosynthesis, provide a promising biological platform for hydrogen generation. However, improving hydrogen yiel...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Energy Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2025.1547215/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849702882633318400 |
|---|---|
| author | Ayshat M. Bozieva Makhmadyusuf K. Khasimov Mahipal S. Rao Maria A. Sinetova Roman A. Voloshin Dmitry O. Dunikov Dmitry O. Dunikov Anatoly A. Tsygankov Yoong Kit Leong Yoong Kit Leong Jo-Shu Chang Jo-Shu Chang Jo-Shu Chang Jo-Shu Chang Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev Barry D. Bruce Barry D. Bruce Barry D. Bruce |
| author_facet | Ayshat M. Bozieva Makhmadyusuf K. Khasimov Mahipal S. Rao Maria A. Sinetova Roman A. Voloshin Dmitry O. Dunikov Dmitry O. Dunikov Anatoly A. Tsygankov Yoong Kit Leong Yoong Kit Leong Jo-Shu Chang Jo-Shu Chang Jo-Shu Chang Jo-Shu Chang Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev Barry D. Bruce Barry D. Bruce Barry D. Bruce |
| author_sort | Ayshat M. Bozieva |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionDeveloping sustainable hydrogen production is critical for advancing renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Cyanobacteria, which harness solar energy through photosynthesis, provide a promising biological platform for hydrogen generation. However, improving hydrogen yields requires strategic metabolic and genetic modifications to optimize energy flow and overcome photosynthetic limitations.MethodsFour cyanobacterial species were evaluated for their hydrogen production capacities under varying experimental conditions. Photosynthesis was partially inhibited using distinct chemical inhibitors, including 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). Exogenous glycerol was introduced as a supplementary carbon source. Hydrogen production was monitored over time, and rates were normalized to chlorophyll a content. Genomic analysis of transporter proteins was conducted to identify potential genetic loci for further enhancement of hydrogen output.ResultsNitrogen-fixing Dolichospermum sp. exhibited significantly higher hydrogen production compared to the other tested species. Supplementation with glycerol notably increased both the rate and duration of hydrogen evolution, far exceeding previously established benchmarks. The maximum hydrogen production rate for Dolichospermum sp. reached 132.3 μmol H₂/mg Chl a/h—representing a 30-fold enhancement over the rates observed with DCMU. Genomic screening revealed key transporter proteins with putative roles in carbon uptake and hydrogen metabolism.DiscussionThese findings underscore the potential of cyanobacteria, particularly Dolichospermum sp., as robust platforms for sustainable hydrogen production. The substantial improvements in hydrogen yield highlight the importance of targeted metabolic engineering and carbon supplementation strategies. Future work focused on optimizing identified transporter proteins and refining genetic interventions could further enhance biohydrogen efficiency. By leveraging the inherent photosynthetic machinery of cyanobacteria, this platform offers a renewable hydrogen source with significant promise for global energy sustainability. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b177fd8150da4bdcbcf1e3a38a8f9fe2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-598X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Energy Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-b177fd8150da4bdcbcf1e3a38a8f9fe22025-08-20T03:17:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Energy Research2296-598X2025-04-011310.3389/fenrg.2025.15472151547215Optimizing cyanobacterial hydrogen production: metabolic and genetic strategies with glycerol supplementationAyshat M. Bozieva0Makhmadyusuf K. Khasimov1Mahipal S. Rao2Maria A. Sinetova3Roman A. Voloshin4Dmitry O. Dunikov5Dmitry O. Dunikov6Anatoly A. Tsygankov7Yoong Kit Leong8Yoong Kit Leong9Jo-Shu Chang10Jo-Shu Chang11Jo-Shu Chang12Jo-Shu Chang13Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev14Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev15Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev16Barry D. Bruce17Barry D. Bruce18Barry D. Bruce19K.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RussiaInstitute of Basic Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow, RussiaDepartment of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United StatesK.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RussiaK.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RussiaLaboratory for Hydrogen Energy Technologies, Joint Institute for High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RussiaMoscow Power Engineering Institute, National Research University, Moscow, RussiaInstitute of Basic Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow, RussiaDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, TaiwanResearch Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung, TaiwanDepartment of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, TaiwanResearch Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung, TaiwanDepartment of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, TaiwanDepartment of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, TaiwanK.A. Timiryazev Institute of Plant Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RussiaInstitute of Basic Biological Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow, Russia0Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Bahçeşehir University, Istanbul, TürkiyeDepartment of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States2Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United StatesIntroductionDeveloping sustainable hydrogen production is critical for advancing renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Cyanobacteria, which harness solar energy through photosynthesis, provide a promising biological platform for hydrogen generation. However, improving hydrogen yields requires strategic metabolic and genetic modifications to optimize energy flow and overcome photosynthetic limitations.MethodsFour cyanobacterial species were evaluated for their hydrogen production capacities under varying experimental conditions. Photosynthesis was partially inhibited using distinct chemical inhibitors, including 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). Exogenous glycerol was introduced as a supplementary carbon source. Hydrogen production was monitored over time, and rates were normalized to chlorophyll a content. Genomic analysis of transporter proteins was conducted to identify potential genetic loci for further enhancement of hydrogen output.ResultsNitrogen-fixing Dolichospermum sp. exhibited significantly higher hydrogen production compared to the other tested species. Supplementation with glycerol notably increased both the rate and duration of hydrogen evolution, far exceeding previously established benchmarks. The maximum hydrogen production rate for Dolichospermum sp. reached 132.3 μmol H₂/mg Chl a/h—representing a 30-fold enhancement over the rates observed with DCMU. Genomic screening revealed key transporter proteins with putative roles in carbon uptake and hydrogen metabolism.DiscussionThese findings underscore the potential of cyanobacteria, particularly Dolichospermum sp., as robust platforms for sustainable hydrogen production. The substantial improvements in hydrogen yield highlight the importance of targeted metabolic engineering and carbon supplementation strategies. Future work focused on optimizing identified transporter proteins and refining genetic interventions could further enhance biohydrogen efficiency. By leveraging the inherent photosynthetic machinery of cyanobacteria, this platform offers a renewable hydrogen source with significant promise for global energy sustainability.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2025.1547215/fullbiohydrogenhydrogenaserenewable energyglycerol carbon sourcesustainable hydrogenDolichospermum sp |
| spellingShingle | Ayshat M. Bozieva Makhmadyusuf K. Khasimov Mahipal S. Rao Maria A. Sinetova Roman A. Voloshin Dmitry O. Dunikov Dmitry O. Dunikov Anatoly A. Tsygankov Yoong Kit Leong Yoong Kit Leong Jo-Shu Chang Jo-Shu Chang Jo-Shu Chang Jo-Shu Chang Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev Suleyman I. Allakhverdiev Barry D. Bruce Barry D. Bruce Barry D. Bruce Optimizing cyanobacterial hydrogen production: metabolic and genetic strategies with glycerol supplementation Frontiers in Energy Research biohydrogen hydrogenase renewable energy glycerol carbon source sustainable hydrogen Dolichospermum sp |
| title | Optimizing cyanobacterial hydrogen production: metabolic and genetic strategies with glycerol supplementation |
| title_full | Optimizing cyanobacterial hydrogen production: metabolic and genetic strategies with glycerol supplementation |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing cyanobacterial hydrogen production: metabolic and genetic strategies with glycerol supplementation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing cyanobacterial hydrogen production: metabolic and genetic strategies with glycerol supplementation |
| title_short | Optimizing cyanobacterial hydrogen production: metabolic and genetic strategies with glycerol supplementation |
| title_sort | optimizing cyanobacterial hydrogen production metabolic and genetic strategies with glycerol supplementation |
| topic | biohydrogen hydrogenase renewable energy glycerol carbon source sustainable hydrogen Dolichospermum sp |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2025.1547215/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ayshatmbozieva optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT makhmadyusufkkhasimov optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT mahipalsrao optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT mariaasinetova optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT romanavoloshin optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT dmitryodunikov optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT dmitryodunikov optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT anatolyatsygankov optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT yoongkitleong optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT yoongkitleong optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT joshuchang optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT joshuchang optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT joshuchang optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT joshuchang optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT suleymaniallakhverdiev optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT suleymaniallakhverdiev optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT suleymaniallakhverdiev optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT barrydbruce optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT barrydbruce optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation AT barrydbruce optimizingcyanobacterialhydrogenproductionmetabolicandgeneticstrategieswithglycerolsupplementation |