Stimulation of hydrogen production in algal cells grown under high CO2concentration and low temperature

When cells ofChlamydomonassp. MGA 161, a marine green alga, were cultivated at a high CO2concentration (15% CO2) and low temperature (15°C), the growth lag time was much longer, but the starch accumulated was two times higher than under the basal conditions (5% CO230°C). When the cells grown in the high-CO2/low-temperature conditions were incubated under dark anaerobic conditions, the degradation of starch and production of hydrogen and ethanol were remarkably higher than those grown under the basal conditions. The lag time of cell growth was shortened, whereas the high capacity of starch accumulation and hydrogen production was maintained, by cultivating the cells alternately every 12 h under the basal and high-CO2/low-temperature conditions. Using this dual system, in which the cultivation was alternated between the two conditions, the total productivity was significantly improved.