A group of scientists from the Missouri University of science and technology (Missouri University of Science and Technology), exploring the microorganisms living and breeding in extreme environments, discovered a bacterium, able for their livelihoods to isolate hydrogen. According to the researchers, their discovery provides new perspectives for the development of future energy.
Extremophiles is a collective name for beings that can exist in such extreme conditions, such as high/low temperature, high/low pH in concentrated salt solutions or under high pressure.
Halanaerobium hydrogeninformans – bacterium-extremophile living in the lake Soap lake (Soap Lake), whose waters contain an increased salt concentration and high pH values. In this aggressive environment unusual microorganism can produce hydrogen and trietilenglikol.
According to the information received from the staff of the University of Missouri, scientists have been searching for exactly Halanaerobium hydrogeninformans. Their discovery was actually accidental. Initially the specialists were interested in the microorganisms, the application of which would help in cleaning the environment. According to the head of research Normal Melanie (Melanie Mormile), experts were hoping to find in Epau lake new species of bacteria able to reduce iron content in the waste, however, shows the properties of the H. hydrogeninformans no less interesting.
“Basically, I study bacteria-extremophiles and their ecology in extreme environments. However, H. hydrogeninformans attracted my special attention, and in the future, I intend to explore all of her abilities,” says Melanie Mormile.
Professor Melanie Mormal noted that the new microorganism capable of generating hydrogen in such amount that allows you to create a competition specifically grown for this task genetically modified organisms. This means that H. hydrogeninformans could become a “supplier” of hydrogen fuel (for rockets and vehicles), composite materials, Soaps, methanol, antifreeze and other high-demand industrial products.
At the present time, experts are searching for a way to “encourage” the bacteria to the regular production of hydrogen and trietilenglikol.