In this paper, the effect of Ni(2+) concentration ranging from 0 to 50mg/L on fermentative hydrogen production by mixed cultures was investigated in batch test. The results showed that at 35 degrees C and initial pH 7.0, Ni(2+) was able to enhance the hydrogen production rate with increasing Ni(2+) concentration from 0 to 0.2mg/L, and enhance the hydrogen production potential and hydrogen yield with increasing Ni(2+) concentration from 0 to 0.1mg/L. The maximum hydrogen production potential of 288.6 mL and the maximum hydrogen yield of 296.1 mL/g glucose were obtained at the Ni(2+) concentration of 0.1mg/L. In all tests, the major soluble metabolites produced by mixed cultures were ethanol, acetic acid and butyric acid, without propionic acid. Ni(2+) had little effect on the substrate degradation efficiency with increasing concentration from 0 to 50mg/L. Ni(2+) was able to enhance the biomass production yield with increasing Ni(2+) concentration from 0 to 0.1mg/L. The maximum biomass production yield of 232.5mg/g glucose was obtained at the Ni(2+) concentration of 0.1mg/L. In all tests, the final pH after fermentative hydrogen production was lower than the initial pH.