How to make the reducing power of H2 available for in vivo biosyntheses and biotransformations.

Solar-driven electrolysis enables sustainable production of molecular hydrogen (H2), which represents a cheap and carbon-free reductant. Knallgas bacteria like Ralstonia eutropha are able to split H2 to supply energy in form of ATP and NADH, which can be subsequently used to power reactions of interest. R. eutropha employs the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle for the fixation of CO2, which is considered as an abundant and non-competing raw material. In this article, we summarize state-of-the-art approaches for H2-driven biosyntheses using engineered R. eutropha. Furthermore, we describe strategies for synthetic H2-driven NADH recycling. Major challenges for technical application and future perspectives are discussed.