A fermentative hydrogen-producing strain, RZF-1108, was isolated from a biohydrogen reactor, and identified as Clostridium beijerinckii on the basis of the 16S rRNA gene analysis and physiobiochemical characteristics. The effects of culture conditions on hydrogen production by C beijerinckii RZF-1108 were investigated in batch cultures. The hydrogen production and growth of strain RZF-1108 were highly dependent on temperature, initial pH and substrate concentration. Yeast extract was a favorable nitrogen source for hydrogen production and growth of RZF-1108. Hydrogen production corresponded to cell biomass yield in different culture conditions. The maximum hydrogen evolution, yield and production rate of 2209 ml H(2)/l medium. 1.97 mol H(2)/mol glucose and 104.20 ml H(2)/g CDW h(-1) were obtained at 9 g/l of glucose, initial pH of 7.0, inoculum volume of 8% and temperature of 35 degrees C, respectively. These results demonstrate that C. beijerinckii can efficiently produce H(2), and is another model microorganism for biohydrogen investigations. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.