ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Optimization of the chemolithoautotrophic biofilm growth of Cupriavidus necator by means of electrochemical hydrogen synthesis

S. Bause, M. Decker, P. Neubauer, and W. Vonau

Kurt-Schwabe-Institut für Mess- und Sensortechnik e.V. Meinsberg, Waldheim, Germany

E-mail: bause@ksi-meinsberg.de

Abstract: The chemolithoautotrophic biofilm growth of Cupriavidus necator on a platinum cathode is presented. Different current densities from 0 to − 2000 µA/cm² were investigated. − 500 µA/cm² was selected as the favourable current density for most optimal hydrogen production for biofilm growth. Lower and higher current densities cause a lower microbial surface coverage due to higher cell death because of nutrient deficiency or due to a fast hydrogen saturation of the medium solution where no impulse is present for the microorganisms to grow at the cathodic surface. The first microbial attachment of Cupriavidus necator and its surface coverage can lead to better understanding of biofilm development and control.

Keywords: Cupriavidus necator ; Hydrogen oxidising bacteria ; Chemolithoautotrophic metabolism ; Cathodic hydrogen evolution ; Biofilm growth 

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-018-0382-1

Chemical Papers 72 (5) 1205–1211 (2018)