Biotechnological production of hydrogen: Design features of photobioreactors and improvement of conditions for cultivating cyanobacteria

Abstract

Over the last five decades, solar-based hydrogen (H<inf>2</inf>) production has been intensively studied. Specifically, the study of biophotolysis by cyanobacteria has received great attention to produce H<inf>2</inf>, and promising research approaches have been established. To date, numerous photobioreactors (PBRs) have been built to collect cyanobacterial biomass and generate bioenergy. Additionally, different PBR parameters were adjusted to increase the product yield. PBR development holds great potential not only for cell biomass but also for biological H<inf>2</inf> production. This review aimed to examine the mechanisms involved in H<inf>2</inf> production by cyanobacteria, explore the factors influencing the process, and describe five distinct PBRs known for their high H<inf>2</inf> production. This article examines the pros and cons of the most efficient PBRs for H<inf>2</inf> production and offers insights into strategies for increasing their productivity. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.