Production of H2 from cellulose by rumen microorganisms: effects of inocula pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis

H-2 production from cellulose, using rumen fluid as the inoculum, has been investigated in batch experiments. Methanogenic archaea were inhibited by acid pre-treatment, which also inhibited cellulolytic microorganisms, and in consequence, the conversion of cellulose to H-2. Positive results were observed only with the addition of cellulase. H-2 yields were 18.5 and 9.6 mmol H-2 g cellulose(-1) for reactors with 2 and 4 g cellulose l(-1) and cellulase, respectively. H-2 was primarily generated by the butyric acid pathway and this was followed by formation of acetic acid, ethanol and n-butanol. In reactors using 4 g cellulose l(-1) and cellulase, the accumulation of alcohols negatively affected the H-2 yield, which changed the fermentation pathways to solventogenesis. PCR-DGGE analysis showed changes in the microbial communities. The phylogenetic affiliations of the bands of DGGE were 99 % similar to Clostridium sp.