Microbial Cultures and Pretreatment Strategies for Hydrogen Production from Agricultural Crop Residues

The rising need for clean energy sources has prompted the investigation of agricultural crop residues as a viable and sustainable source for biohydrogen production. However, the complex lignocellulosic composition of these residues, characterized by high lignin and cellulose content, poses a significant challenge for efficient microbial digestion and hydrogen production. Microbial cultures are essential for degrading lignocellulose, and the development of anaerobic microorganisms with enhanced hydrogen-yielding capabilities is crucial. Pretreatment strategies, encompassing physical, chemical, and biological approaches, aim to enhance microbial enzyme accessibility to the intricate biomass structures. By strategically integrating suitable microbial cultures and efficient pretreatment technologies, this review seeks to facilitate streamlined and sustainable biohydrogen production from agricultural crop residues, thereby unlocking their vast energy potential.