Hydrogen production from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) by integrating dark-fermentation by Enterobacter
aerogenes MTCC 2822 and photo-fermentation by Rhodopseudomonas BHU 01 was investigated. The
SCB was hydrolysed by sulphuric acid and the hydrolysate detoxified by passing through adsorbent resin
column (Amberlite XAD-4) to remove the inhibitory furfural, and subjected to dark-fermentation. The
cellulosic residue from acid hydrolysis was hydrolysed by the new isolate Cellulomonas fimi to release
sugars for H2 production by E. aerogenes, through simultaneous saccharification, filtration and fermentation
(SSFF). Cumulative H2 production during dark-fermentation and SSFF was 1000 and 613 ml/L,
respectively. The spent media of dark-fermentation and SSFF were utilized for photo-fermentation by
Rhodopseudomonas BHU 01. The cumulative H2 production was 755 ml/L for dark-fermentation and
351 ml/L for SSFF spent medium.