Dates
General information
Global energy consumption increases every year: energy reserves are expected to be depleted in the latter half of the century. Hydrogenases(Hyd) of the non-pathogenic Ralstonia eutropha are attractive targets for potential application in an enzymatic fuel cell(EFC).It is a facultative chemolithoautotrophic bacterium able to grow on organic substrates or H2 and CO2 under aerobic environment. It is important to find the conditions when Hyd enzymes are expressed without the use of dangerous gas mixtures of H2, O2, and CO2.In this context, the current project is significant as it is directed to reveal conditions for the highest Hyds synthesis and activity. These new studies will identify the optimal conditions for R. eutropha growth associated with Hyd activity using waste material(cheese and curd whey, glycerol, etc.):Small amounts of yeast extract or defined amino acids or vitamins will highly stimulate Hyd activity. Bioenergetics parameters and the link with Hyd activity will be investigated during bacterial growth. Active Hyds will be used as anodic catalysts and promote efficient current generation in EFC. The studies in this field are novel: they have fundamental, as well as ecological and economic advantages and will be useful for the development of EFC technology in Armenia.
