SAMARITaN: Sustainable Anaerobic MicrobiAl pRoteIn producTioN

The current production of protein - either animal or vegetable - has a large impact on the environment due to CO2 and ammonium emissions, land use, deforestation, etc.

The production of protein by bacteria using hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide is a sustainable alternative that connects to the emerging hydrogen economy.

Current processes are using oxygen as electron acceptor which challenges gas transfer into the reactor even more and may result in explosive H2/O2 gas mixtures. Some microorganisms are able to use Fe3+ or nitrate as an alternative for oxygen. We will investigate whether these are competitive.