Metabolic features of hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria and their application to achieve a low-carbon society

Hydrogen bacteria, often called hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria or knallgas bacteria, are a bacterial group that autotrophically grows utilizing hydrogen and carbon dioxide as the electron donor and the carbon source, respectively. This article presents an overview of physiological features and central metabolism, including hydrogen oxidation and carbon fixation, of hydrogen bacteria in order to explain what metabolic mechanisms endow the distinct features with these bacteria. We also discuss the potential application of hydrogen bacteria and their advantages to achieve a low-carbon society based on the metabolic features.