The effect of glycine as nitrogen source on growth and H-2 production by purple non-sulfur bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides MDC 6521 (isolated from mineral springs in Armenia) in the presence of succinate as the carbon source was investigated. Growth rate, light absorption spectra, medium pH and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) variation during bacterial anaerobic growth upon illumination were examined. At the presence of glycine the specific growth rate decreased significantly in comparison with control (similar to 25% for 5 mol m(-3) or 7 mol m(-3) glycine and similar to 60% for 10 mol m(-3) glycine). The culture initial pH 7.0 increased to similar to 8.3, when 5 mol m(-3) glycine was used. At the presence of 7 mol m(-3) or 10 mol m(-3) glycine pH was not changed much: pH raises to similar to 7.6. ORP of R. sphaeroides gradually decreased to negative (-580 mV +/- 20 mV) value during the growth at the presence of 5 mol m(-3) glycine, indicating H-2 production. 10 mol m(-3) glycine did not provide H-2 production (ORP decreased to -40 mV +/- 5 mV). The results point out the concentration dependent glycine effect: 5 mol m(-3) glycine can serve as nitrogen source for growth and H-2 production by R. sphaeroides; however 10 mol m(-3) glycine suppressed growth and H-2 production. This might be applied when glycine or other amino acids are used as nitrogen sources in bio-hydrogen technology with photosynthetic bacteria. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.