Evaluation of the biotechnological interest of an H2-overproducing bacteria isolated from the deep subsurface

forthcoming

The biotechnological production of hydrogen (H2) as a clean energy source faces distinct challenges and limitations. These include the need to balance the requirements and efficiency of metabolic reactions involved in H2 generation, improve the utilization of industrial waste byproducts as substrates, and address the relatively low level of commercialization. In consequence, there is an impending need to searching for and identifying microorganisms with new metabolic pathways capable to produce biohydrogen as a source of clean energy, as well as exploring alternative substrates such as the residues of different biotechnological processes. During the implementation of the ERC-CoG MARSFIRSTWATER, we have isolated from the deep subsurface a member of the bacterial genus Citrobacter (Citrobacter sp. T1.2D-1), and our preliminary research shows that it exhibits the potential of producing H2 from different substrates in strictly anoxic conditions. The ambition of DEEPENERGY is to provide the technical basis to develop and deliver an innovative methodology to use Citrobacter for the bioproduction of H2, avoiding the limitations of the existing procedures. We aim to proof our concept by completing the following objectives: 1. Evaluation of the anticipated economic interest of Citrobacter sp. T1.2D-1 as a biotechnological H2 producer using glycerol as substrate, bringing this knowledge into a pre-commercial stage technology. 2. Development of a hybridization probe to identify additional members of this genus along the IPB, which may also have economic interest. 3. Filling patent(s) to protect the strain(s). The goal of DEEPENERGY is to introduce a transformative element in the energy-producing H2 biotechnology that addresses urgent industrial and environmental needs. DEEPENERGY aims to drive business innovation, addressing a key societal challenge by providing a potential source of renewable energy that can replace non-renewable sources such as oil, coal and natural gas.