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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Experimental Methods for Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production in Microgravity Environment
Published on: December 3, 2019
How algae produce hydrogen--news from the photosynthetic hydrogenase
1Lehrstuhl Biochemie der Pflanzen, AG Photobiotechnologie, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
Abstract:
Green algae are the only known eukaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis which are equipped with a hydrogen metabolism. Hydrogen production is light-dependent, since the [FeFe] hydrogenases are coupled to the photosynthetic electron transport chain via ferredoxin. Algal [FeFe] hydrogenases are one of the most active biocatalysts for the evolution of hydrogen. Therefore, special interest exists in the biophysical characterization and biotechnological usage of these [Fe-S] enzymes. This review traces the discovery of this interesting class of proteins. Recent findings allow insight into the electronic structure and configuration of the [FeFe] hydrogenase active site (H-cluster). Emphasis is placed on novel discoveries of the hydrogenase interaction with its natural electron donor ferredoxin and the mechanism of enzyme inactivation through oxygen.
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