H2 production from CO, formate or starch using the hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus onnurineus

The hyperthermophilic archaeon, Thermococcus onnurineus, was grown in media supplemented with either CO, formate, or starch. H2 was produced with each substrate with respective maximum rates of 1.55, 3.83 and 2.66 mmol H2/l h. The yields (mol H2/mol substrate) were 0.98, 1 and 3.13, respectively. This microbe is the first example where a single microorganism can grow and produce H2 using CO, formate or starch as substrate.