Role of Temperature, pH and Substrate (Banana peel) Concentration for Maximizing Biohydrogen Production

Dark fermentation is a potentially renewable energy source that can be used to produce biohydrogen, which might lead to sustainable fuel production. The goal of this study is to maximize Biohydrogen production using banana peel as the substrate and Enterobacter species as the inoculum. The research discovers the impact of three critical parameters (temperature, pH, and substrate concentration) on biohydrogen production, employing Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to determine the ideal conditions for maximum yield. According to experimental results, the maximum amount of biohydrogen (2.6 L H2/L) was produced at 35°C, neutral pH 7.0, and substrate concentrations ranging from 17% to 25%. By maximizing microbial activity without creating substrate overload, which can result in metabolic inhibition and decreased hydrogen generation, moderate substrate concentrations improve biohydrogen yield, according to data analysis. Furthermore, it was shown that high substrate concentrations and temperatures beyond the optimal range prevent the synthesis of biohydrogen because they cause microbial stress and the buildup of inhibitory byproducts. By establishing certain ideal condition for the generation of biohydrogen utilizing banana peels, an abundant agricultural waste, this work fills a gap in the existing literature. The findings highlight the necessity of exact control over fermentation settings in order to optimize biohydrogen production and microbial efficiency. These discoveries have potential for expanding the process in industrial settings in addition to aiding in our knowledge of biohydrogen generation. This study opens the door to new environmentally friendly and sustainable energy options by demonstrating the possibility of employing agricultural waste in the production of bioenergy.