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1998
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In the Laboratory
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A Simple Method To Demonstrate the Enzymatic Production of Hydrogen from Sugar
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Natalie Hershlag
Syosset High School, Syosset, NY 11791
Ian Hurley
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY 11030
Jonathan Woodward
Chemical Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6194
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October 1998
Vol. 75 No. 10
p. 1270
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| Abstract |
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There is current interest in and concern for the development of environmentally friendly bioprocesses whereby biomass and the biodegradable content of municipal wastes can be converted to useful forms of energy. For example, cellulose, a glucose polymer that is the principal component of biomass and paper waste, can be enzymatically degraded to glucose, which can subsequently be converted by fermentation or further enzymatic reaction to fuels such as ethanol or hydrogen. These products represent alternative energy sources to fossil fuels such as oil. Demonstration of the relevant reactions in high-school and undergraduate college laboratories would have value not only in illustrating environmentally friendly biotechnology for the utilization of renewable energy sources, such as cellulosic wastes, but could also be used to teach the principles of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. In the experimental protocol described here, it has been demonstrated that the common sugar glucose can be used to produce hydrogen using two enzymes, glucose dehydrogenase and hydrogenase. No sophisticated or expensive hydrogen detection equipment is required-only a redox dye, benzyl viologen, which turns purple when it is reduced. The color can be detected by a simple colorimeter. Furthermore, it is shown that the renewable resource cellulose, in its soluble derivative from carboxymethylcellulose, as well as aspen-wood waste, is also a source of hydrogen if the enzyme cellulase is included in the reaction mixture.
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| More Information |
 Citation |
Hershlag, Natalie; Hurley, Ian; Woodward, Jonathan. J. Chem. Educ. 1998 75 1270.
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Keywords |
laboratory instruction, enzymes, kinetics, uv-vis spectroscopy
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History |
Created:
Last Updated: |
June 21, 1999
June 23, 2005
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| Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues >
1998
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1270
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