Abstract
The hydrogen production potentials of glycerol were investigated using eight types of seed microorganism in this study. The seed microorganisms were obtained from a thermophilic acidgenic reactor, a mesophilic anaerobic digester, a thermophilic anaerobic digester, a soybean meal silo, organic fractural municipal solid waste (OFMSW), activated sludge, cattle manure, and soil. The highest hydrogen production potential of glycerol (2.05 mmol H2 · g-1-glycerol) was obtained using OFMSW seed microorganisms. The hydrogen production potentials of glycerol in this study were lower than those of sugars in previous studies. There was little difference between the metabolic patterns of the cultures. The major products produced by the seed microorganisms were 1,3-propanediol and acetic acid. The chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) yields of 1,3-propanediol and acetic acid from initial glycerol concentration (5 gCODcr · l-1) were 50 - 70% and 15 - 20%, respectively.
