intensive, it would not be feasible for it to be viable. The development of
biohydrogen economy may be possible because it provides energy security and
environmental safety. Moreover, hydrogen economy is the only way forward as
this is a zero emission fuel and produces water and oxygen during the process.
Hybrid or biorefinery concept will result in commercialization of biohydrogen
production. Metabolic engineering will play an important role in biohydrogen
production and can substantially increase the yield of biohydrogen. Methods for
generating stable transformed algal lines (Coll 2006) have led to the possibility of
metabolically engineering algae for production of biohydrogen apart from other
useful byproducts during the process (Leon-Banares et al. 2004; Rosenberg et al.
2008). High light intensity can lead to photoinhibition apart from producing toxic
photoproducts including peroxide and hydroxyl radicals (Taiz and Zeiger 2006;
Long et al. 1994). One of the alternatives to overcome some of the challenges is
the use of transgenic algae, but the safety aspects in outdoor reactors raise public
and environmental concerns. The transgenic algae generally are designed in such
a way that it withstands any abiotic stress of temperature, pH, etc. In this process,
the algal strains are modified genetically with DNA from other organisms. This in
turn leads to environmental and public health concerns. Hence, transgenic algae,
to be used in enclosed photobioreactors, should be equipped with spill containment technology. Only when such safety measures are taken, accidental spills of
the transgenic algal cultures will not take place. Hence, safety measures have to
be considered for sustainable generation of algal hydrogen.
7.9 Conclusions
For potential and sustainable biohydrogen production, we have to look for potential
algal species which can produce valuable bioproducts throughout hydrogen production under sulfur deprivation. The media requirements for cultivation of algal
biomass for enhanced hydrogen production have to be optimized. The design of
bioreactors for hydrogen production from algae should be made in such a way that
all the process parameters are taken into account. The expression of hydrogenase
genes under different cultural conditions in algal species needs to be studied. Lastly,
a lot of research has to be focused on generation of algal mutants which are able to
tolerate abiotic stress such as temperature, salt, and light intensity. Work also needs
to be done for isolating algal strains which can grow with less amounts of water.
References
Adeniyi OM, Azimov U, Burluka A (2018) Algae biofuel: current status and future applications.
Renew Sust Energ Rev 90:316–335
Alabi AO, Tampier M, Bibeau E (2009) Microalgae technologies and processes for biofuels
bioenergy production in British Columbia. In: Current technology, suitability and barriers to
208
R. Kumar et al.
biohydrogen economy may be possible because it provides energy security and
environmental safety. Moreover, hydrogen economy is the only way forward as
this is a zero emission fuel and produces water and oxygen during the process.
Hybrid or biorefinery concept will result in commercialization of biohydrogen
production. Metabolic engineering will play an important role in biohydrogen
production and can substantially increase the yield of biohydrogen. Methods for
generating stable transformed algal lines (Coll 2006) have led to the possibility of
metabolically engineering algae for production of biohydrogen apart from other
useful byproducts during the process (Leon-Banares et al. 2004; Rosenberg et al.
2008). High light intensity can lead to photoinhibition apart from producing toxic
photoproducts including peroxide and hydroxyl radicals (Taiz and Zeiger 2006;
Long et al. 1994). One of the alternatives to overcome some of the challenges is
the use of transgenic algae, but the safety aspects in outdoor reactors raise public
and environmental concerns. The transgenic algae generally are designed in such
a way that it withstands any abiotic stress of temperature, pH, etc. In this process,
the algal strains are modified genetically with DNA from other organisms. This in
turn leads to environmental and public health concerns. Hence, transgenic algae,
to be used in enclosed photobioreactors, should be equipped with spill containment technology. Only when such safety measures are taken, accidental spills of
the transgenic algal cultures will not take place. Hence, safety measures have to
be considered for sustainable generation of algal hydrogen.
7.9 Conclusions
For potential and sustainable biohydrogen production, we have to look for potential
algal species which can produce valuable bioproducts throughout hydrogen production under sulfur deprivation. The media requirements for cultivation of algal
biomass for enhanced hydrogen production have to be optimized. The design of
bioreactors for hydrogen production from algae should be made in such a way that
all the process parameters are taken into account. The expression of hydrogenase
genes under different cultural conditions in algal species needs to be studied. Lastly,
a lot of research has to be focused on generation of algal mutants which are able to
tolerate abiotic stress such as temperature, salt, and light intensity. Work also needs
to be done for isolating algal strains which can grow with less amounts of water.
References
Adeniyi OM, Azimov U, Burluka A (2018) Algae biofuel: current status and future applications.
Renew Sust Energ Rev 90:316–335
Alabi AO, Tampier M, Bibeau E (2009) Microalgae technologies and processes for biofuels
bioenergy production in British Columbia. In: Current technology, suitability and barriers to
208
R. Kumar et al.