This study was a basic trial to evaluate the feasibility of producing
hydrogen by the new mesophilic strain Clostridium sp.
YM1 in dark fermentation process. Experimental studies
revealed that this isolate successfully produced fermentative
hydrogen with the highest hydrogen yield of 1.7 mol H2/mol
glucose. The optimum incubation temperature and initial pH
of medium were 37 C and 6.5, respectively. This study
showed that the increase in headspace of fermentation culture
favourably enhanced cumulative hydrogen volume. The
fast onset of hydrogen generation following medium inoculation
makes Clostridium sp. YM1 a promising strain for further
study to enhance hydrogen yield by co-culture of this strain
with other hydrogen-producing bacteria and genetic engineering
modifications.