7.1 Introduction
The world is facing energy crisis due to ever growing population. By the year 2025,
the world’s oil consumption is expected to rise by 60%. Hence, Mallick (2002)
opined that there is a need of developing sustainable and cost-effective methods for
energy needs. The depletion of fossil fuels and industrialization is the reason for this
crisis (Medipally et al. 2015). Saifuddin and Parthasarthi (2016) felt that governments have now become proactive in addressing the need for new potential fuels for
meeting these demands. Dragone et al. (2010) felt that renewable energy sources can
be explored to overcome the energy crisis. Biohydrogen does not produce any
emissions (Chang and Lin 2004). Algal biohydrogen can replace fossil fuels and
needs to be optimized to enhance hydrogen production rate (Moreno-Garrido 2008;
Dincer 2012). Prince and Kheshgi (2005) have highlighted the importance and
efficiency of photobiological production of hydrogen. Complex polymers such as
lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses are difficult to be degraded and increase the
process costs (Azwar et al. 2014). Gaffron and Rubin (1942) discovered hydrogen
production from the green alga Scenedesmus under anaerobic conditions. Algae are
unicellular as well as multicellular autotrophic aquatic life forms. Cyanobacteria and
green microalgae are the most accepted microorganisms for the production of
biohydrogen (Kotay and Das 2007). Hydrogen can be considered as a future energy
fuel and has the “highest energy content per unit weight” (Das and Veziroglu 2008).
Rajkumar et al. (2014) studied the potential of algae for biofuel production. Biofuels
of first and second generation have low production capacity which is a major
limitation (Saqib et al. 2013). Redwood et al. (2008) have suggested using
co-cultures for maximizing H 2 production. Behera et al. (2015) described the utility
of algae as third-generation biofuel. Aresta et al. (2005) felt that the aquatic biomass
represents an important strategy for large-scale industrial application without environmental concerns. Thermal processing of biomass for renewable fuel generation
was studied by Bridgewater (2003). Algae play a major role in maintaining the water
quality and in controlling microbial growth. In this chapter, status of algal
biohydrogen production, its sustainability, potentials, and the challenges of algal
biohydrogen production are reviewed.
7.2 Hydrogen Production by Algae
Algal production of hydrogen has generated significant interest since the mechanism
of gas production from algae by sulfur deprivation was discovered (Ghirardi et al.
2009; Melis 2007). Barsanti et al. (2008) have survive that alga will survive over
different ranges of pH, concentration, temperature, and different light intensities.
Das et al. (2011) suggested that microalgae will have potential applications in
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R. Kumar et al.
The world is facing energy crisis due to ever growing population. By the year 2025,
the world’s oil consumption is expected to rise by 60%. Hence, Mallick (2002)
opined that there is a need of developing sustainable and cost-effective methods for
energy needs. The depletion of fossil fuels and industrialization is the reason for this
crisis (Medipally et al. 2015). Saifuddin and Parthasarthi (2016) felt that governments have now become proactive in addressing the need for new potential fuels for
meeting these demands. Dragone et al. (2010) felt that renewable energy sources can
be explored to overcome the energy crisis. Biohydrogen does not produce any
emissions (Chang and Lin 2004). Algal biohydrogen can replace fossil fuels and
needs to be optimized to enhance hydrogen production rate (Moreno-Garrido 2008;
Dincer 2012). Prince and Kheshgi (2005) have highlighted the importance and
efficiency of photobiological production of hydrogen. Complex polymers such as
lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses are difficult to be degraded and increase the
process costs (Azwar et al. 2014). Gaffron and Rubin (1942) discovered hydrogen
production from the green alga Scenedesmus under anaerobic conditions. Algae are
unicellular as well as multicellular autotrophic aquatic life forms. Cyanobacteria and
green microalgae are the most accepted microorganisms for the production of
biohydrogen (Kotay and Das 2007). Hydrogen can be considered as a future energy
fuel and has the “highest energy content per unit weight” (Das and Veziroglu 2008).
Rajkumar et al. (2014) studied the potential of algae for biofuel production. Biofuels
of first and second generation have low production capacity which is a major
limitation (Saqib et al. 2013). Redwood et al. (2008) have suggested using
co-cultures for maximizing H 2 production. Behera et al. (2015) described the utility
of algae as third-generation biofuel. Aresta et al. (2005) felt that the aquatic biomass
represents an important strategy for large-scale industrial application without environmental concerns. Thermal processing of biomass for renewable fuel generation
was studied by Bridgewater (2003). Algae play a major role in maintaining the water
quality and in controlling microbial growth. In this chapter, status of algal
biohydrogen production, its sustainability, potentials, and the challenges of algal
biohydrogen production are reviewed.
7.2 Hydrogen Production by Algae
Algal production of hydrogen has generated significant interest since the mechanism
of gas production from algae by sulfur deprivation was discovered (Ghirardi et al.
2009; Melis 2007). Barsanti et al. (2008) have survive that alga will survive over
different ranges of pH, concentration, temperature, and different light intensities.
Das et al. (2011) suggested that microalgae will have potential applications in
184
R. Kumar et al.