乳清由来副産物を活用した微生物バイオマス・分子状水素・ヒドロゲナーゼの生産
This study examined the use of cheese whey (sweet) and curd whey (acid) as cultivation media for Escherichia coli BW25113 and Ralstonia eutropha H16. Pre-treatment steps including filtration, dilution, and pH adjustment were applied, along with enzymatic lactose hydrolysis using a thermostable archaeal β-glucosidase sourced from a hydrothermal spring metagenome. Growth parameters such as oxidation-reduction potential, pH, specific growth rate, and biomass were monitored. R. eutropha reached maximum cell yield and H2-oxidizing hydrogenase activity during the stationary phase on whey substrates. An engineered E. coli strain demonstrated Hyd-3-dependent H2 production, achieving cumulative yields of approximately 5 mmol/L and ~94 mL g/L dry whey. These findings support whey as an economically viable feedstock for biocatalyst and biomass production.
In engineered E. coli, Hyd-3 enzyme mediates fermentative H2 generation from whey-derived sugars; in R. eutropha, growth on whey induces O2-tolerant [NiFe]-hydrogenase activity, enabling H2 oxidation.
This is basic research at the cellular or molecular level. For human application, inhalation is the most promising delivery route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).
See also:
https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/37289241