The composition, biodegradability, abundance, availability and cost determine the amenability of carbonaceous substrate for fermentative hydrogen and methane production systems. The aim of the present work was to determine suitability of lignocellulosic material, reed canary grass (RCG) (Phalaris arundinacea L.), for hydrogen and methane production at 35 degrees C by utilizing solid RCG and acid hydrolyzed soluble RCG. Synthetic cellulose was used as control substrate. Acid hydrolysis released 61.7 mg g(-1) (dw) and 115 mg g(-1) (dw) of reducing sugars from synthetic cellulose and chopped RCG, respectively. More hydrogen was produced from acid hydrolyzed RCG than from solid RCG, the highest yield being 1.25 mmol H-2 per g (dw) RCG. Methane production from solid RCG resulted in the highest yield of 8.26 mmol CH4 per g (dw) RCG. In summary hydrogen and methane was produced from RCG, and acid hydrolysis was required for hydrogen, but not for methane production. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.