Microbial hydrogen production: Fundamentals to application

Human society is facing serious challenges as far as energy and the environment is concerned. In this respect, hydrogen is gaining popularity as a renewable fuel and as a zero-carbon fuel source. To make the use of hydrogen economically sustainable, it is a necessity to use renewable sources rather than fossil fuels for its production. Microbial-produced hydrogen is an environment-friendly and less energy-intensive way of producing hydrogen. The present chapter focuses on the different microbial production processes of biohydrogen. The biochemical pathways involved in biohydrogen production have been illustrated. The importance of several useful organisms involved in this technology has been included. The environmental impact of hydrogen as a carbon-neutral energy carrier is also mentioned. Further, it discusses the possibilities of using industrial wastewater as a potential feedstock to obtain hydrogen. Biohydrogen is a promising alternative fuel which can be used in fuel cells with high efficiency. Possible utilization of microbial hydrogen as a fuel for transport and energy sector and challenges on the route to commercialization have been discussed.