Analysis of microbial community structures in thermophilic hydrogen fermentation of starch

Microbial community structures in thermophilic hydrogen fermentation (55°C) were analyzed by molecular methods, including polymerase chain reaction-denatured gel gradient electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), real-time PCR, and cloning methods. Samples used for analyses were obtained from five identical completely stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) of thermophilic hydrogen fermentation from starch, which were seeded with five different types of inoculum. The closest relatives of the genus Thermoanaerobacterium, which is known to be a typical hydrogen producer, predominated in all reactors. However, microbial community structures abundant in each reactor were different, indicating that the type of inoculum is one of the important factors for thermophilic hydrogen fermentation.