Biofilm formation by designed co-cultures of Caldicellulosiruptor species as a means to improve hydrogen productivity

BACKGROUND: Caldicellulosiruptor species have gained a reputation as being among the best microorganisms to produce hydrogen (H(2)) due to possession of a combination of appropriate features. However, due to their low volumetric H(2) productivities (Q(H2)), Caldicellulosiruptor species cannot be considered for any viable biohydrogen production process yet. In this study, we evaluate biofilm forming potential of pure and co-cultures of Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus and Caldicellulosiruptor owensensis in continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) and up-flow anaerobic (UA) reactors. We also evaluate biofilms as a means to retain biomass in the reactor and its influence on Q(H2). Moreover, we explore the factors influencing the formation of biofilm. RESULTS: Co-cultures of C. saccharolyticus and C. owensensis form substantially more biofilm than formed by C. owensensis alone. Biofilms improved substrate conversion in both of the reactor systems, but improved the Q(H2) only in the UA reactor. When grown in the presence of each other’s culture supernatant, both C. saccharolyticus and C. owensensis were positively influenced on their individual growth and H(2) production. Unlike the CSTR, UA reactors allowed retention of C. saccharolyticus and C. owensensis when subjected to very high substrate loading rates. In the UA reactor, maximum Q(H2) (approximately 20 mmol · L(−1) · h(−1)) was obtained only with granular sludge as the carrier material. In the CSTR, stirring negatively affected biofilm formation. Whereas, a clear correlation was observed between elevated (>40 μM) intracellular levels of the secondary messenger bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) and biofilm formation. CONCLUSIONS: In co-cultures C. saccharolyticus fortified the trade of biofilm formation by C. owensensis, which was mediated by elevated levels of c-di-GMP in C. owensensis. These biofilms were effective in retaining biomass of both species in the reactor and improving Q(H2) in a UA reactor using granular sludge as the carrier material. This concept forms a basis for further optimizing the Q(H2) at laboratory scale and beyond. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13068-015-0201-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.