Immobilization of Desulfovibrio vulgaris cells with hydrogenase activity

Desulfovibrio vulgaris intact cells immobilized in calcium alginate retained 45% of the hydrogenase activity of free cells. Cell immobilization had no effect on the optimum temperature for the hydrogen uptake rate, whereas the pH optimum was shifted to a higher value. The immobilization conferred on the cells a protection both against oxygen inhibition and thermal denaturation of the hydrogenase system.