Journal Article

The Prospect of Obtaining Hydrogen Producing Bacteria from Antarctic Environment To Mitigate Global Warming: A Review

Abstract

The paper reviewed the diversity of psychrophilic bacteria in Antarctica, their physiological and metabolic adaptation to harsh conditions and temperatures below 00C. The purpose is to look at the possibility of obtaining high hydrogen (H2) producing bacteria from such environment to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and reduce climate change. Thermophiles and mesophilic bacteria have been frequently explored for H2 productivity over the years. However only 50% of the theoretical biohydrogen yield (4 – 6 mol H2/ mol glucose) have been achieved by these bacteria so far. Screening cold adapted environments for novel H2 producers could improve the availability of biohydrogen by tapping their acquired physiological and metabolic characteristics to boost the availability of this clean and cheap fuel. This is because continuous dependence on fossil fuels and other Green House gases producers as the sole future energy sources would be disastrous to generations yet to be born.

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