Novel integration of biohydrogen production with fungal biodiesel production process.

An integration of bio-H with fungal biodiesel production process was investigated. Highest cumulative H production of 3.3 ± 0.20 L L was observed during media optimization using mixture design. Using optimized media composition, continuous H production at 0.2 h dilution rate, showed highest H production rate, H yield and biomass yield of 1020 ± 23 mL L h, 2.8 ± 0.1 mols mol reducing sugar and 1.2 ± 0.06 g L, respectively. Using the spent media generated from the dark fermentation, oleaginous yeast cultivation was done. Highest biomass and total lipid yield of 6.4 ± 0.20 g L and 0.46 ± 0.04 g g was observed at initial 15% v/v inoculums strength, pH of 5, 1.5 L min aeration rate and 25 °C temperature of cultivation, respectively. Energy recovery improved by 90.3% in integrated process when compared with single stage hydrogen production.