The role of hydrogenase in anaerobic biocorrosion

Abstract

It is becoming clear that the activity of the hydrogenase enzyme may be involved in the anaerobic biocorrosion of metal, particularly mild steel. Since all hydrogenases appear to be active in the reversible activation of the hydrogen molecule, hydrogenase from Clostridium pasteurianum was used as a test enzyme for investigating the role of cell-free hydrogenase in anaerobic biocorrosion of mild steel. Evidence is presented which demonstrates the activity of the hydrogenase enzyme in catalyzing removal of cathodically produced hydrogen from mild steel in the presence of the appropriate electron acceptors. The results from the experiments imply that dead cells may also provide, by virtue of their biochemical makeup, all the necessary ingredients to catalyze corrosion of mild steel. Key words: hydrogenase, biocorrosion, Clostridium pasteurianum, iron phosphate complex, cathodic depolarization.