The Rhodopseudomonas faecalis strain RLD-53 was isolated from freshwater pond sludge and was demonstrated it could produce hydrogen. This study to investigate their ability of hydrogen production under some conditions in batch culture experiments. At pH 7.0, temperature 35 degrees C and light intensity of 4000 lux, the H-2 yield was 2.64 mol-H-2/mol-acetate, 2.34 mol-H-2/mol-propionate, 1.75 mol-H-2/mol-lactate and 3.55 mol-H-2/mol-malate, respectively. The maximal H-2 production rate of 32.62 ml-H-2/l/h and H-2 yield of 2.84 mol-H-2/mol-acetate were achieved when beef extract was used as nitrogen source. Light intensity is the most important factor for H-2 production, H-2 production yield and rate decreased with increasing light intensity and reached highest under light intensity of 3000-5000 lux. Result indicated the strain RLD-53 was a high efficient bacteria for hydrogen production. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.