A simplified method for assay of hydrogenase activities of H2 evolution and uptake in Enterobacter aerogenes

Assay of hydrogenase activity pertaining to H2 production needs anaerobic conditions. To establish a simplified method for assay of hydrogenase activities by using intact cells of Enterobater aerogenes, different chemicals capable of enhancing the cell-wall permeability to electron mediators were examined. As a result, Triton X-100 and CTAB were found to be appropriate for H2 uptake and evolution activities of the intact cells, respectively. This method enabled H2 uptake and evolution activities of the intact cells to be easily detected. This is also the first report of the presence of H2 uptake hydrogenase activity in E. aerogenes.