Discover insights from thousands of peer-reviewed papers on microbial electrochemical systems
Noémi N. Horváth-Gönczi, Zoltán Bagi, Márk Szuhaj et al.
Fermentation · 2023
Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have great potential in renewable energy production technologies. BES can generate electricity via Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) or use electric current to synthesize valuable commodities in Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MECs). Various reactor configurations and operational protocols are increasing rapidly, although industrial-scale operation still faces difficulties. This article reviews the recent BES related to literature, with special attention to electrosynthesis and the most promising reactor configurations. We also attempted to clarify the numerous definitions proposed for BESs. The main components of BES are highlighted. Although the comparison of the various fermentation systems is, we collected useful and generally applicable operational parameters to be used for comparative studies. A brief overview links the appropriate microbes to the optimal reactor design.
Néstor Isidro Rincón-Catalán, Abumalé Cruz-Salomón, P.J. Sebastian et al.
Processes · 2022
Banana is the most cultivated fruit plant in the world. It is produced in Latin America, Asia and Africa. India and China are the world’s largest banana producers, with almost 41% of the world’s production. This fruit reaches a total world production of 158.3 million tons per year. However, during their production cycle, the banana agroindustry produces large volumes of solid waste derived from overripe fruit. It contributes between 8–20 percent of the waste (around 100 kg of banana waste for every ton of banana produced). Therefore, the use of overripe banana waste represents a huge opportunity for bioenergy production. This work demonstrates that banana waste can be further used for power generation using a microbial fuel cell (MFC) coupled with anaerobic digestion (AD). First, the maximum methane production (MMP), methane production rate (MPR) and biochemical methane potential (BMP) were measured using an anaerobic batch bioreactor for 64 days of monitoring. Finally, the digestate generated from AD was used in the MFC to determine the polarization curve, maximum voltage, maximum power density (MPD), resistance and current. As a result, the AD generated an MMP of 320.3 mL, BMP of 373.3 mLCH4/gVS and MPR of 18.6 mLCH4/Lb⋅day. The MFC generated 286 mV (maximum voltage), 41.3 mW/m2 (MPD), 580.99 Ω (resistance) and 0.0002867 A (current). Both processes together produced a total bioenergy of 13.38 kJ/gVS. This coupled system showed a suitable and promising use of banana waste for ecofriendly bioenergy generation. Therefore, this feedstock could be taken advantage of for generating sustainable processes and developing a circular economy in the banana agroindustry.
Shixiang Dai, Benjamin Korth, Carsten Vogt et al.
Frontiers in Chemical Engineering · 2021
Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising technology for chemical and material synthesis. However, HTC produces not only valuable solid coal-materials but also yields process water (PW) with high chemical oxygen demand (COD) that requires extensive treatment. Anaerobic digestion (AD) has been used for initial treatment of HTC-PW, but the AD effluent is still high in COD and particles. Here, we show that microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) can be applied for COD removal from AD effluent of HTC-PW. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) treating different shares of AD effluent from HTC-PW exhibited similar trends for current production. Thereby, maximum current densities of 0.24 mA cm −2 and COD removal of 65.4 ± 4.4% were reached ( n = 3). Microbial community analysis showed that the genus Geobacter dominated anode biofilm and liquid phase of all reactors indicating its central role for COD oxidation and current generation.
Qing Zhao, Hairong Yuan, Xiujin Li
Processes · 2025
This study aims to investigate the effect of different applied voltages on the biomethanation performance and microbial community characteristics of corn stover (CS) in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC)-assisted anaerobic digestion (AD) system (MEC-AD). The results showed that the MEC-AD system operating at 0.8 V achieved the highest methane yield of 192.40 mL CH4/g VS (volatile solids), an increase of 14.98% compared to the conventional AD. The system obtained methane yields of 187.74 to 191.18 mL CH4/g VS at lower voltages (0.4 V and 0.6 V), and 156.11–182.75 mL CH4/g VS at higher voltages (1.0 V and 1.2 V), respectively, suggesting that lower or higher voltages would have adversely impacted the methane yield. Correspondingly, the MEC-AD system operating at 0.4–0.8 V achieved over 71.47% conversion rates of total solids (TS), VS, and cellulose. The microbial community analysis revealed that 0.8 V optimally enriched fermentative acidogenic bacteria (FABs, 24.55%) and electroactive bacteria (13.50%), enhancing both hydrolysis acidification efficiency and direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET). Both Methanosarcina and Methanoculleus demonstrated significant positive correlations with FABs, SOBs, and electroactive bacteria. This study reveals that 0.8 V represents the optimal operating voltage for biomethane production in MEC-AD systems, providing critical insights for agricultural waste valorization.
Nhlanganiso Ivan Madondo, Sudesh Rathilal, Babatunde Femi Bakare et al.
Microorganisms · 2023
In this paper, the application of magnetite-nanoparticles and a microbial fuel cell (MFC) was studied on the anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge. The experimental set-up included six 1 L biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests with different external resistors: (a) 100 Ω, (b) 300 Ω, (c) 500 Ω, (d) 800 Ω, (e) 1000 Ω, and (f) a control with no external resistor. The BMP tests were carried out using digesters with a working volume of 0.8 L fed with 0.5 L substrate, 0.3 L inoculum, and 0.53 g magnetite-nanoparticles. The results suggested that the ultimate biogas generation reached 692.7 mL/g VSfed in the 500 Ω digester, which was substantially greater than the 102.6 mL/g VSfed of the control. The electrochemical efficiency analysis also demonstrated higher coulombic efficiency (81.2%) and maximum power density (30.17 mW/ m2) for the 500 Ω digester. The digester also revealed a higher maximum voltage generation of 0.431 V, which was approximately 12.7 times the 0.034 V of the lowest-performing MFC (100 Ω digester). In terms of contaminants removed, the best-performing digester was the digester with 500 Ω, which reduced contaminants by more than 89% on COD, TS, VS, TSS and color. In terms of cost-benefit analysis, this digester produced the highest annual energy profit (48.22 ZAR/kWh or 3.45 USD/kWh). This infers the application of magnetite-nanoparticles and MFC on the AD of sewage sludge is very promising for biogas production. The digester with an external resistor of 500 Ω showed a high potential for use in bioelectrochemical biogas generation and contaminant removal for sewage sludge.
Chenglong Xu, Jialei Lu, Zhimiao Zhao et al.
Water · 2020
An aircathode microbial desalination cell (AMDC) was successfully started by inoculating anaerobic sludge into the anode of a microbial desalination cell and then used to study the effects of salinity on performance of AMDC and effect of treatment of coastal saline-alkaline soil-washing water. The results showed that the desalination cycle and rate gradually shorten, but salt removal gradually increased when the salinity was decreased, and the highest salt removal was 98.00 ± 0.12% at a salinity of 5 g/L. COD removal efficiency was increased with the extension of operation cycle and largest removal efficiency difference was not significant, but the average coulomb efficiency had significant differences under the condition of each salinity. This indicates that salinity conditions have significant influence on salt removal and coulomb efficiency under the combined action of osmotic pressure, electric field action, running time and microbial activity, etc. On the contrary, COD removal effect has no significant differences under the condition of inoculation of the same substrate in the anode chamber. The salt removal reached 99.13 ± 2.1% when the AMDC experiment ended under the condition of washing water of coastal saline-alkaline soil was inserted in the desalination chamber. Under the action of osmotic pressure, ion migration, nitrification and denitrification, NH4+-N and NO3−-N in the washing water of the desalination chamber were removed, and this indicates that the microbial desalination cell can be used to treatment the washing water of coastal saline-alkaline soil. The microbial community and function of the anode electrode biofilm and desalination chamber were analyzed through high-throughput sequencing, and the power generation characteristics, organics degradation and migration and transformation pathways of nitrogen of the aircathode microbial desalination cell were further explained.
Yolanda Ruiz, Juan A Baeza, Nuria Montpart et al.
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · 2020
Abstract Background Cyclic voltammetry (CV) has become a standard tool in the study of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) because it is a nondestructive technique that provides useful information on the electron transfer capacity of these systems. When applied to the large‐surface electrodes typically found in BES, the scan rate must be severely diminished or otherwise the capacitive current masks the faradaic current. Decreasing the scan rate results in an increase in the duration of the experiments, which can lead to a significant alteration of the initial system conditions. Results The repeatability of low scan rate cyclic voltammetry (LSCV) in air cathode microbial fuel cells (AC‐MFCs) operating in batch mode was examined. Consecutive LSCVs at 0.1 mV s −1 were recorded with and without prior renewal of the culture medium. Significant deviations in CV replicates were observed when the medium was not replaced (as high as 40% of maximum intensity). These deviations decreased (<18%) when the medium was refreshed, indicating that significant changes in the culture medium composition occurred during LSCVs. Additional electrochemical tests showed that the peak in the forward scan was probably the result of an accumulation of charge in the anodic system. Conclusion LSCV can affect the response of AC‐MFCs working in batch mode and cast doubt on the repeatability of these experiments, observing differences as high as 40% in maximum intensity. Renewing the culture medium is recommended to improve the repeatability of LSCV replicates. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Wei-Jhe Ma, Ching-Hsing Luo, Jiun-Ling Lin et al.
Sensors · 2016
This paper presents a portable low-power battery-driven bioelectrochemical signal acquisition system for urea detection. The proposed design has several advantages, including high performance, low cost, low-power consumption, and high portability. A LT1789-1 low-supply-voltage instrumentation amplifier (IA) was used to measure and amplify the open-circuit potential (OCP) between the working and reference electrodes. An MSP430 micro-controller was programmed to process and transduce the signals to the custom-developed software by ZigBee RF module in wireless mode and UART in able mode. The immobilized urease sensor was prepared by embedding urease into the polymer (aniline-co-o-phenylenediamine) polymeric matrix and then coating/depositing it onto a MEMS-fabricated Au working electrode. The linear correlation established between the urea concentration and the potentiometric change is in the urea concentrations range of 3.16 × 10−4 to 3.16 × 10−2 M with a sensitivity of 31.12 mV/log [M] and a precision of 0.995 (R2 = 0.995). This portable device not only detects urea concentrations, but can also operate continuously with a 3.7 V rechargeab-le lithium-ion battery (500 mA·h) for at least four days. Accordingly, its use is feasible and even promising for home-care applications.
Nattawet Sriwichai, Rutrawee Sangcharoen, Treenut Saithong et al.
PLOS ONE · 2024
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are innovative eco-friendly technologies that advance a circular economy by enabling the conversion of both organic and inorganic substances in wastewater to electricity. While conceptually promising, there are lingering questions regarding the performance and stability of MFCs in real industrial settings. To address this research gap, we investigated the influence of specific operational settings, regarding the hydraulic retention time (HRT) and organic loading rate (OLR) on the performance of MFCs used for treating sulfide-rich wastewater from a canned pineapple factory. Experiments were performed at varying hydraulic retention times (2 days and 4 days) during both low and high seasonal production. Through optimization, we achieved a current density generation of 47±15 mA/m 2 , a COD removal efficiency of 91±9%, and a sulfide removal efficiency of 86±10%. Microbiome analysis revealed improved MFC performance when there was a substantial presence of electrogenic bacteria, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, and methanotrophs, alongside a reduced abundance of sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens. In conclusion, we recommend the following operational guidelines for applying MFCs in industrial wastewater treatment: (i) Careful selection of the microbial inoculum, as this step significantly influences the composition of the MFC microbial community and its overall performance. (ii) Initiating MFC operation with an appropriate OLR is essential. This helps in establishing an effective and adaptable microbial community within the MFCs, which can be beneficial when facing variations in OLR due to seasonal production changes. (iii) Identifying and maintaining MFC-supporting microbes, including those identified in this study, should be a priority. Keeping these microbes as an integral part of the system’s microbial composition throughout the operation enhances and stabilizes MFC performance.
Zhe Liu, Ping Xiang, Zhuang Duan et al.
RSC Advances · 2019
A three-chamber microbial desalination cell (MDC) was constructed for high-salinity mustard tuber wastewater (MTWW) treatment.
Da Seul Kong, Eun Joo Park, Sakuntala Mutyala et al.
Energies · 2021
Crude glycerol is a major byproduct in the production of biodiesel and contains a large number of impurities. The transformation of crude glycerol into valuable compounds such as 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) using clean and renewable processes, like bioconversion, is an important task for the future of the chemical industry. In this study, 1,3-PDO bioproductions from crude and pure glycerol were estimated as 15.4 ± 0.8 and 11.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L, respectively. Because 1,3-PDO is a reductive metabolite that requires additional reducing energy, external supplements of electron for further improvement of 1,3-PDO biosynthesis were attempted using a bioelectrochemical system (BES) or zero-valent iron (ZVI). The conversions of crude and pure glycerol under electrode and iron-based cultivation were investigated for 1,3-PDO production accompanied by metabolic shift and cell growth. The BES-based conversion produced 32.6 ± 0.6 mmol/L of 1,3-PDO with ZVI implementation.
Na Liu, Lina Qiu, Lijuan Qiu
Coatings · 2024
Microbial metal corrosion has become an important topic in metal research, which is one of the main causes of equipment damage, energy loss, and economic loss. At present, the research on microbial metal corrosion focuses on the characteristics of corrosion products, the environmental conditions affecting corrosion, and the measures and means of corrosion prevention, etc. In contrast, the main microbial taxa involved in metal corrosion, their specific role in the corrosion process, and the electron transfer pathway research are relatively small. This paper summarizes the mechanism of microbial carbon steel corrosion caused by SRB, including the cathodic depolarization theory, acid metabolite corrosion theory, and the biocatalytic cathodic sulfate reduction mechanism. Based on the reversible nature of electron transfer in biofilms and the fact that electrons must pass through the extracellular polymers layer between the solid electrode and the cell, this paper focuses on three types of electrochemical mechanisms and electron transfer modes of extracellular electron transfer occurring in microbial fuel cells, including direct-contact electron transfer, electron transfer by conductive bacterial hair proteins or nanowires, and electron shuttling mediated by the use of soluble electron mediators. Finally, a more complete pathway of electron transfer in microbial carbon steel corrosion due to SRB is presented: an electron goes from the metal anode, through the extracellular polymer layer, the extracellular membrane, the periplasm, and the intracellular membrane, to reach the cytoplasm for sulfate allosteric reduction. This article also focuses on a variety of complex components in the extracellular polymer layer, such as extracellular DNA, quinoline humic acid, iron sulfide (FeSX), Fe3+, etc., which may act as an extracellular electron donor to provide electrons for the SRB intracellular electron transfer chain; the bioinduced mineralization that occurs in the SRB biofilm can inhibit metal corrosion, and it can be used for the development of green corrosion inhibitors. This provides theoretical guidance for the diagnosis, prediction, and prevention of microbial metal corrosion.
Thi Quynh Hoa Kieu, Thi Yen Nguyen, Chi Linh Do
Molecules · 2023
A wastewater treatment system has been established based on sulfate-reducing and sulfide—oxidizing processes for treating organic wastewater containing high sulfate/sulfide. The influence of COD/SO42− ratio and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on removal efficiencies of sulfate, COD, sulfide and electricity generation was investigated. The continuous operation of the treatment system was carried out for 63 days with the optimum COD/SO42− ratio and HRT. The result showed that the COD and sulfate removal efficiencies were stable, reaching 94.8 ± 0.6 and 93.0 ± 1.3% during the operation. A power density level of 18.0 ± 1.6 mW/m2 was obtained with a sulfide removal efficiency of 93.0 ± 1.2%. However, the sulfide removal efficiency and power density decreased gradually after 45 days. The results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) show that sulfur accumulated on the anode, which could explain the decline in sulfide oxidation and electricity generation. This study provides a promising treatment system to scale up for its actual applications in this type of wastewater.
V. Dhundale, Vijayshree M Hemke, D. Desai et al.
Annals of Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology Journal · 2018
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which can be use bacterial cultures as biocatalyst for the conversion of chemical energy into the electricity from the biomass. The bacteria that can be able to synthesis [1,2] the electron from biodegradation of organic content and transfer the electron are known as exoelectrogen [3]. Now a days the extensive work is performed on the many exoelectrogen in MFCs which were Gram-negative and most exoelectrogens are cultivated in MFCs under 7 pH such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Desulfobulbus propionicus, Geobacter sulfurreducens, Rhodoferax ferrireducens, Aeromonas hydrophila and Shewanella putrefaciens [4-9]. The extensive bacterial cultures that have been examined as biocatalyst for the bioelectricity generation in MFC comprise the pure culture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and consortial diverse cultures from sea floor sediments [10] and wastewater [11-12]. For direct bio electricity generation in MFC, the ideal bacterial culture must be able to grow aerobically and be electrochemically active, utilizing an anode as an alternative electron acceptor while oxidizing metabolites of various carbon sources. But very less studies have been reported using Gram-positive bacteria as biocatalyst in MFCs like Corynebacterium sp. strain MFC03 [13] Thermincola ferriacetica Z-0001 [14] and Bacillus subtilis [15], Clostridium butyricum EG3 [16], were performed to be enable producing bioelectricity. Electrochemical mechanisms have been used in different fields of biotechnology including biosensors, bioelectrochemical synthesis and biofuel cells [17]. Electricity can be generated directly from sewage sludge with microbial fuel cells (MFCs), combining degradation of organic matter and MFC for the generation of bioelectricity and the degradation of sewage sludgeorganic matter under the alkaline condition studied by Yuan et al. A group of bacteria from the extremophiles that has been tested only to a lower range in MFCs. Extremes such as in pH, salinity, temperature and alkalinity, when combined with materials that perform best under such circumstances would able to result in more graceful MFCs [18]. The search for bacteria that function optimally at higher pH and thereby would have higher catalytic rates was the aim of the present study. Electricity generation by anaerobic bacteria and anoxic sediments from hypersaline soda lakes was studied by Miller and Oremland. The objectives of this Research Article
V. Dhundale, Vijayshree M Hemke, D. Desai et al.
Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology · 2020
The present study put forth with the fundamental objective to the exploration of exoelectrogens from the extremophilic environment and to investigate the electricity generation from them. A total of 20 bacterial cultures were isolated, from which BW2(1) was selected for the further investigation of the microbial fuel cell (MFC). The experimental results performed that the strain Bacillus alkalogaya BW2(1) was capable of utilizing organic acids and sugars as electron donors to generate electricity. The MFC was constructed and the electricity generation was measured after various intervals using various parameters and substrates, 937 mV electricity was generated after 1 hour, but after 48 hours the electricity generation dramatically decreases to 570 mV. The effect of pH on MFC was also studied, pH enhanced electricity, indicating the requirement of pH for bacterium BW2(1). This is a valuable information for bioelectricity production and optimization from B. alkalogaya BW2(1) has bright future toward the improvement and production of bioelectricity for entirely new areas of industrial and biotechnological applications.
Eleanor R. Clifford, R. Bradley, L. Wey et al.
Chemical Science · 2021
Bioelectrochemical approaches for energy conversion rely on efficient wiring of natural electron transport chains to electrodes. However, state-of-the-art exogenous electron mediators give rise to significant energy losses and, in the case of living systems, long-term cytotoxicity. Here, we explored new selection criteria for exogenous electron mediation by examining phenazines as novel low-midpoint potential molecules for wiring the photosynthetic electron transport chain of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to electrodes. We identified pyocyanin (PYO) as an effective cell-permeable phenazine that can harvest electrons from highly reducing points of photosynthesis. PYO-mediated photocurrents were observed to be 4-fold higher than mediator-free systems with an energetic gain of 200 mV compared to the common high-midpoint potential mediator 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ). The low-midpoint potential of PYO led to O2 reduction side-reactions, which competed significantly against photocurrent generation; the tuning of mediator concentration was important for outcompeting the side-reactions whilst avoiding acute cytotoxicity. DCBQ-mediated photocurrents were generally much higher but also decayed rapidly and were non-recoverable with fresh mediator addition. This suggests that the cells can acquire DCBQ-resistance over time. In contrast, PYO gave rise to steadier current enhancement despite the co-generation of undesirable reactive oxygen species, and PYO-exposed cells did not develop acquired resistance. Moreover, we demonstrated that the cyanobacteria can be genetically engineered to produce PYO endogenously to improve long-term prospects. Overall, this study established that energetic gains can be achieved via the use of low-potential phenazines in photosynthetic bioelectrochemical systems, and quantifies the factors and trade-offs that determine efficacious mediation in living bioelectrochemical systems.
Roman N. Perchikov, Maxim Cheliukanov, Yulia V. Plekhanova et al.
Biosensors · 2024
Microbial biofilms present one of the most widespread forms of life on Earth. The formation of microbial communities on various surfaces presents a major challenge in a variety of fields, including medicine, the food industry, shipping, etc. At the same time, this process can also be used for the benefit of humans—in bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and various biotechnological processes. The main direction of using electroactive microbial biofilms is their incorporation into the composition of biosensor and biofuel cells This review examines the fundamental knowledge acquired about the structure and formation of biofilms, the properties they have when used in bioelectrochemical devices, and the characteristics of the formation of these structures on different surfaces. Special attention is given to the potential of applying the latest advances in genetic engineering in order to improve the performance of microbial biofilm-based devices and to regulate the processes that take place within them. Finally, we highlight possible ways of dealing with the drawbacks of using biofilms in the creation of highly efficient biosensors and biofuel cells.
O. Kalashnikova, A. Kashevskii, N. Vardanyan et al.
Proceedings of Universities. Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology · 2021
Acidophilic chemolithotrophic microorganisms are used in biohydrometallurgy for the extraction of metals from sulphide ores. Some types of microorganisms belonging to this group are capable of generating electricity under certain conditions. This circumstance determined a recent upsurge of research interest in their use in biofuel cells. Under a constant supply of the substrate to the bioelectrochemical system, acidophilic chemolithotrophic microorganisms are capable of producing electricity for a prolonged period of time. The use of extremophiles in microbial fuel cells is of particular interest, since these microorganisms can serve as bioelectrocatalysts at extreme pH, salinity and temperature, while the vast majority of microorganisms are unable to survive under these conditions. Therefore, selection of optimal conditions and approaches to controlling the work of acidophilic chemolithotrophic microorganisms in such fuel cells is of particular importance. On this basis, a technology for the simulteneous bioleaching of metals from poor ores and the generation of electricity can be developed. Biofuel cells operating at low pH values using acidophilic chemolithotrophic microorganisms are yet to be investigated. The number of studies on acidophilic electroactive microorganisms is very limited. In this regard, the purpose of this review was to consider the prospects for the use of acidophilic chemolithotrophic microorganisms as bioagents in microbial fuel cells. The reviewed publications demonstrate that chemolithotrophic microorganisms can act as both anodic (metal-reducing, sulphur-oxidizing microorganisms) and cathodic (metal-oxidizing prokaryotes, sulfate reducers) highly efficient bioagents capable of using mining wastes as substrates.
Yuxuan Wan, Zongliang Huang, Lean Zhou et al.
Environmental Science & Technology · 2019
Nitrate-N in wastewaters is hard to be recovered because it is difficult to volatilize with an opposite charge to ammonium. Here, we proved the feasibility of dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia (DNRA) by the easy-acclimated mixed electroactive bacteria, achieving the highest DNRA efficiency of 44 %. It was then coupled with microbial electrolysis to concentrate the ammonium by a factor of 4 in the catholyte for recovery. The abundance of electroactive bacteria in the biofilm before nitrate addition, especially Geobacter spp., was found to determine the DNRA efficiency. As the main competitors of DNRA bacteria, the growth of denitrifiers was more sensitive to C/N ratios. DNRA microbial community contrarily showed a stable and recoverable ammoniation performance over C/N ratios ranging from 0.5 to 8.0. A strong competition of electrode and nitrate on electron donors was observed at the early stage (15 d) of electroactive biofilm formation, which can be weakened when the biofilm was mature on 40 d. Quantitative PCR showed a significant increase in nirS and nrfA transcripts in ammoniation process. nirS was inhibited significantly after nitrate depletion while nrfA was still up-regulated. These findings provided a novel way to recover nitrate-N using the organic wastes as both electron donor and power, which has broader implications on the sustainable wastewater treatment and the ecology of nitrogen cycling.
Chuanqi Liu, Xin Yuan, Yuyi Gu et al.
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering · 2020
Bioelectrochemical CO2 reduction is a promising method for biogas upgrading. However, the CO2 reduction efficiency in these bioelectrical systems is always relatively low and limits their applicati...
C. Santoro, María José Salar García, X. A. Walter et al.
ChemElectroChem · 2020
Abstract In recent years, human urine has been successfully used as an electrolyte and organic substrate in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) mainly due of its unique properties. Urine contains organic compounds that can be utilised as a fuel for energy recovery in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and it has high nutrient concentrations including nitrogen and phosphorous that can be concentrated and recovered in microbial electrosynthesis cells and microbial concentration cells. Moreover, human urine has high solution conductivity, which reduces the ohmic losses of these systems, improving BES output. This review describes the most recent advances in BESs utilising urine. Properties of neat human urine used in state‐of‐the‐art MFCs are described from basic to pilot‐scale and real implementation. Utilisation of urine in other bioelectrochemical systems for nutrient recovery is also discussed including proofs of concept to scale up systems.
Reham A Alfadaly, A. Elsayed, Rabeay Y. A. Hassan et al.
Molecules · 2021
The presence of inorganic pollutants such as Cadmium(II) and Chromium(VI) could destroy our environment and ecosystem. To overcome this problem, much attention was directed to microbial technology, whereas some microorganisms could resist the toxic effects and decrease pollutants concentration while the microbial viability is sustained. Therefore, we built up a complementary strategy to study the biofilm formation of isolated strains under the stress of heavy metals. As target resistive organisms, Rhizobium-MAP7 and Rhodotorula ALT72 were identified. However, Pontoea agglumerans strains were exploited as the susceptible organism to the heavy metal exposure. Among the methods of sensing and analysis, bioelectrochemical measurements showed the most effective tools to study the susceptibility and resistivity to the heavy metals. The tested Rhizobium strain showed higher ability of removal of heavy metals and more resistive to metals ions since its cell viability was not strongly inhibited by the toxic metal ions over various concentrations. On the other hand, electrochemically active biofilm exhibited higher bioelectrochemical signals in presence of heavy metals ions. So by using the two strains, especially Rhizobium-MAP7, the detection and removal of heavy metals Cr(VI) and Cd(II) is highly supported and recommended.
Sirine Saadaoui, B. Erable, Nesrine Saidi et al.
Applied Sciences · 2023
The treatment of textile wastewater (TWW) loaded with recalcitrant azo dyes in bioelectrochemical systems (BES) rather than in physicochemical processes is a low-cost and environmentally friendly process. The main objective of this study is to investigate the potential of different saline sediments collected from extreme Tunisian environments for the formation of bioanodes capable ofsimultaneous azo dyes degradation and electric current generation in synthetic (STWW) and real textile wastewaters (RTWW) characterized by a varied composition of azo dyes and a high salinity. The obtained bioanodes and anolytes were studied comparatively by electrochemical, microscopic, analytical, and molecular tools.Based on the UV–visible spectra analysis, the breakdown of the azo bond was confirmed. With RTWW, the BES achieved a chemical oxygen demand (COD) abatement rate of 85%with a current density of 2.5 A/m2. Microbial community analysis indicated that a diverse community of bacteria was active for effluent treatment coupled with energy production. At the phylum level, the electrodes were primarily colonized by proteobacteria and firmicutes, which are the two phyla most involved in bioremediation. The analysis of the microbial community also showed the abundance of Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus and Marinobacter sp. species characterized by their high metabolic capacity, tolerance to extremophilic conditions, and role in hydrocarbon degradation.
Paolo Dessì, Estefania Porca, Johanna Haavisto et al.
RSC Advances · 2018
A mesophilic (37 °C) and a thermophilic (55 °C) two-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) were studied and compared for their power production from xylose and the microbial communities involved. The anode-attached, membrane-attached, and planktonic microbial communities, and their respective active subpopulations, were determined by next generation sequencing (Illumina MiSeq), based on the presence and expression of the 16S rRNA gene. Geobacteraceae accounted for 65% of the anode-attached active microbial community in the mesophilic MFC, and were associated to electricity generation likely through direct electron transfer, resulting in the highest power production of 1.1 W m -3 . A lower maximum power was generated in the thermophilic MFC (0.2 W m -3 ), likely due to limited acetate oxidation and the competition for electrons by hydrogen oxidizing bacteria and hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea. Aerobic microorganisms, detected among the membrane-attached active community in both the mesophilic and thermophilic MFC, likely acted as a barrier for oxygen flowing from the cathodic chamber through the membrane, favoring the strictly anaerobic exoelectrogenic microorganisms, but competing with them for xylose and its degradation products. This study provides novel information on the active microbial communities populating the anodic chamber of mesophilic and thermophilic xylose-fed MFCs, which may help in developing strategies to favor exoelectrogenic microorganisms at the expenses of competing microorganisms.
Míriam Cerrillo, Victor Riau, August Bonmatí
Membranes · 2023
Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have emerged as a technology that is able to recover resources from different kinds of substrates, especially wastewater. Nutrient recovery, mostly based on membrane reactor configuration, is a clear niche for BES application. The recovery of nitrogen or phosphorus allows for treatment of wastewater while simultaneously collecting a concentrated stream with nutrients that can be reintroduced into the system, becoming a circular economy solution. The aim of this study is to review recent advances in membrane-based BESs for nitrogen and phosphorus recovery and compare the recovery efficiencies and energy requirements of each system. Finally, there is a discussion of the main issues that arise from using membrane-based BESs. The results presented in this review show that it would be beneficial to intensify research on BESs to improve recovery efficiencies at the lowest construction cost in order to take the final step towards scaling up and commercialising this technology.
Angel Franco, Mahmoud Elbahnasy, Miriam A. Rosenbaum
Microbial Biotechnology · 2023
Abstract Mediated extracellular electron transfer (EET) might be a great vehicle to connect microbial bioprocesses with electrochemical control in stirred‐tank bioreactors. However, mediated electron transfer to date is not only much less efficient but also much less studied than microbial direct electron transfer to an anode. For example, despite the widespread capacity of pseudomonads to produce phenazine natural products, only Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been studied for its use of phenazines in bioelectrochemical applications. To provide a deeper understanding of the ecological potential for the bioelectrochemical exploitation of phenazines, we here investigated the potential electroactivity of over 100 putative diverse native phenazine producers and the performance within bioelectrochemical systems. Five species from the genera Pseudomonas , Streptomyces , Nocardiopsis , Brevibacterium and Burkholderia were identified as new electroactive bacteria. Electron discharge to the anode and electric current production correlated with the phenazine synthesis of Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca . Phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid was the dominant molecule with a concentration of 86.1 μg/ml mediating an anodic current of 15.1 μA/cm 2 . On the other hand, Nocardiopsis chromatogenes used a wider range of phenazines at low concentrations and likely yet‐unknown redox compounds to mediate EET, achieving an anodic current of 9.5 μA/cm 2 . Elucidating the energetic and metabolic usage of phenazines in these and other species might contribute to improving electron discharge and respiration. In the long run, this may enhance oxygen‐limited bioproduction of value‐added compounds based on mediated EET mechanisms.
Matteo Grattieri, Kamrul Hasan, Shelley D. Minteer
ChemElectroChem · 2017
Abstract Microbial bioelectrocatalysis, the process of utilizing an intact microorganism for catalyzing redox reactions, has been rapidly expanding over the last 15 years. Although microbial bioelectrocatalysis has been primarily studied for power generation and wastewater treatment, this Minireview will focus on the use of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) for biosensing applications. This will include sensors for water quality, corrosion, and toxic shock. We will also discuss the transition of BESs to photo‐BESs and discuss their recent applications in sensing. Finally, we will discuss the future outlook for microbial bioelectrocatalysis for biosensing applications.
Asiah Sukri, Raihan Othman, Firdaus Abd-Wahab et al.
Energies · 2021
The present work describes a self-sustaining bioelectrochemical system that adopts simple cell configurations and operates in uncontrolled ambient surroundings. The microbial fuel cell (MFC) was comprised of white-rot fungus of Phanaerochaete chrysosporium fed with oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as the substrate. This fungal strain degrades lignin by producing ligninolytic enzymes such as laccase, which demonstrates a specific affinity for oxygen as its electron acceptor. By simply pairing zinc and the air electrode in a membraneless, single-chamber, 250-mL enclosure, electricity could be harvested. The microbial zinc/air cell is capable of sustaining a 1 mA discharge current continuously for 44 days (i.e., discharge capacity of 1056 mAh). The role of the metabolic activities of P. chrysosporium on EFB towards the MFC’s performance is supported by linear sweep voltammetry measurement and scanning electron microscopy observations. The ability of the MFC to sustain its discharge for a prolonged duration despite the fungal microbes not being attached to the air electrode is attributed to the formation of a network of filamentous hyphae under the submerged culture. Further, gradual lignin decomposition by fungal inocula ensures a continuous supply of laccase enzyme and radical oxidants to the MFC. These factors promote a self-sustaining MFC devoid of any control features.
Francesco Tadini-Buoninsegni, Ilaria Palchetti
Sensors · 2020
Cancer is a multifactorial family of diseases that is still a leading cause of death worldwide. More than 100 different types of cancer affecting over 60 human organs are known. Chemotherapy plays a central role for treating cancer. The development of new anticancer drugs or new uses for existing drugs is an exciting and increasing research area. This is particularly important since drug resistance and side effects can limit the efficacy of the chemotherapy. Thus, there is a need for multiplexed, cost-effective, rapid, and novel screening methods that can help to elucidate the mechanism of the action of anticancer drugs and the identification of novel drug candidates. This review focuses on different label-free bioelectrochemical approaches, in particular, impedance-based methods, the solid supported membranes technique, and the DNA-based electrochemical sensor, that can be used to evaluate the effects of anticancer drugs on nucleic acids, membrane transporters, and living cells. Some relevant examples of anticancer drug interactions are presented which demonstrate the usefulness of such methods for the characterization of the mechanism of action of anticancer drugs that are targeted against various biomolecules.
Simeng Li, Gang Chen, Aavudai Anandhi
Energies · 2018
Background: Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are emerging energy-effective and environment-friendly technologies. Different applications of BESs are able to effectively minimize wastes and treat wastewater while simultaneously recovering electricity, biohydrogen and other value-added chemicals via specific redox reactions. Although there are many studies that have greatly advanced the performance of BESs over the last decade, research and reviews on agriculture-relevant applications of BESs are very limited. Considering the increasing demand for food, energy and water due to human population expansion, novel technologies are urgently needed to promote productivity and sustainability in agriculture. Methodology: This review study is based on an extensive literature search regarding agriculture-related BES studies mainly in the last decades (i.e., 2009–2018). The databases used in this review study include Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science. The current and future applications of bioelectrochemical technologies in agriculture have been discussed. Findings/Conclusions: BESs have the potential to recover considerable amounts of electric power and energy chemicals from agricultural wastes and wastewater. The recovered energy can be used to reduce the energy input into agricultural systems. Other resources and value-added chemicals such as biofuels, plant nutrients and irrigation water can also be produced in BESs. In addition, BESs may replace unsustainable batteries to power remote sensors or be designed as biosensors for agricultural monitoring. The possible applications to produce food without sunlight and remediate contaminated soils using BESs have also been discussed. At the same time, agricultural wastes can also be processed into construction materials or biochar electrodes/electrocatalysts for reducing the high costs of current BESs. Future studies should evaluate the long-term performance and stability of on-farm BES applications.
Euntae Yang, K. Chae, In S. Kim
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology · 2016
BACKGROUND Combining a forward osmosis membrane with a microbial fuel cell (OsMFC) has shown improved electricity generation compared with conventional MFCs due to the enhanced proton transport based on the osmotically driven water flux across the semi-permeable membrane. However, the impact of membrane materials on the performance of OsMFCs has yet to be systematically investigated. This study examines the characteristics of different semi-permeable membranes (cellulose triacetate (CTA) nonwoven (NW), CTA embedded support (ES), and polyamide (PA)), and then compares the performances of OsMFCs having these membranes. RESULTS The OsMFC having CTA ES exhibited the highest electricity generation (current: 1.62 mA; maximum power density: 0.64 W m−2) although CTA ES showed lower proton transport ability and higher mass transfer resistance compared with PA. These results were due to the fact that CTA ES is less permeable to oxygen, such that anaerobic anode bacteria in the OsMFC having CTA ES were less inhibited by oxygen diffusion through the membrane than PA. Similarly, the highest water flux (0.83 L m−2 h−1)) was observed for CTA ES, even though CTA ES had a lower water flux than PA in the FO test. CONCLUSION This study confirms that CTA ES a more suitable membrane for OsMFCs than either PA or CTA NW. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
S. Patwardhan, Nishit Savla, Soumya Pandit et al.
Applied Sciences · 2021
Nowadays, the world is experiencing an energy crisis due to extensive globalization and industrialization. Most of the sources of renewable energy are getting depleted, and thus, there is an urge to locate alternative routes to produce energy efficiently. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a favorable technology that utilizes electroactive microorganisms acting as a biocatalyst at the anode compartment converting organic matter present in sewage water for bioelectricity production and simultaneously treating wastewater. However, there are certain limitations with a typical stand-alone MFC for efficient energy recovery and its practical implementation, including low power output and high cost associated with treatment. There are various modifications carried out on MFC for eliminating the limitations of a stand-alone MFC. Examples of such modification include integration of microbial fuel cell with capacitive deionization technology, forward osmosis technology, anaerobic digester, and constructed wetland technology. This review describes various integrated MFC systems along with their potential application on an industrial scale for wastewater treatment, biofuel generation, and energy production. As a result, such integration of MFCs with existing systems is urgently needed to address the cost, fouling, durability, and sustainability-related issues of MFCs while also improving the grade of treatment received by effluent.
Yang Zhao, Liang Duan, Xiang-qi Liu et al.
Membranes · 2022
Osmotic microbial fuel cells (OsMFCs) are an emerging wastewater treatment technology in bioelectricity generation, organic substrate removal, and wastewater reclamation. To address this issue, proton-conductive sites were strengthened after using the forward osmosis (FO) membrane by reducing the membrane resistance. The mechanism of improving electricity generation was attributed mainly to the unique characteristics of the membrane material and the water flux characteristics of the FO membrane. In particular, only when the concentration of catholyte was greater than 0.3 M was the membrane resistance the main contributor to the overall internal resistance. Meanwhile, through the simulation of the concentration inside the membrane, the changes in the membrane thickness direction and the phase transition of the internal structure of the membrane from the dry state (0% water content) to the expansion state (>50%water content) were analyzed, which were influenced by the water flux, further explaining the important role of the membrane’s microenvironment in reducing the membrane impedance. This further opens a novel avenue for the use of OsMFCs in practical engineering applications.
Yuqin Lu, Jinmeng Liu, Xin-Hua Wang et al.
PubMed · 2018
In this study, a novel combined system for simultaneous recovery of bioelectricity and water from wastewater was developed by integrating anaerobic acidification and a forward osmosis (FO) membrane with a microbial fuel cell (AAFO-MFC). Conductivity was thought to be an important factor affecting the performance of the AAFO-MFC system. Thus, effects of conductivity on the performance of AAFO-MFC system in treating synthetic wastewater were investigated. The results indicated that a higher conductivity increased the bioelectricity production, owing to a reduction in the internal resistance. However, it resulted in a rapid decrease of FO water flux and a shorter operating time because of a severer membrane fouling. The conductivity had no impact on the water quality of the effluents. The total organic carbon (TOC) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the FO permeate were less than 4 and 0.5 mg·L-1, respectively, at all conductivity levels. However, the rejection of the FO membrane for NH4+-N was lower at all conductivity levels. The optimal comprehensive performance of this system was obtained when the conductivity was maintained at 7-8 mS·cm-1. In this case, the AAFO-MFC system achieved continuous and relatively stable power generation, and the water flux of FO membrane was relatively stable during a long-term operation of approximately 29 days.
Hengliang Zhang, Liang Duan, Shilong Li et al.
Membranes · 2024
Osmotic microbial fuel cells (OsMFCs) with the abilities to simultaneously treat wastewater, produce clean water, and electricity provided a novel approach for the application of microbial fuel cell (MFC) and forward osmosis (FO). This synergistic merging of functions significantly improved the performances of OsMFCs. Nonetheless, despite their promising potential, OsMFCs currently receive inadequate attention in wastewater treatment, water reclamation, and energy recovery. In this review, we delved into the cooperation mechanisms between the MFC and the FO. MFC facilitates the FO process by promoting water flux, reducing reverse solute flux (RSF), and degrading contaminants in the feed solution (FS). Moreover, the water flux based on the FO principle contributed to MFC’s electricity generation capability. Furthermore, we summarized the potential roles of OsMFCs in resource recovery, including nutrient, energy, and water recovery, and identified the key factors, such as configurations, FO membranes, and draw solutions (DS). We prospected the practical applications of OsMFCs in the future, including their capabilities to remove emerging pollutants. Finally, we also highlighted the existing challenges in membrane fouling, system expansion, and RSF. We hope this review serves as a useful guide for the practical implementation of OsMFCs.
Yang Zhao, Liang Duan, Xiang Liu et al.
Membranes · 2022
As a new membrane technology, forward osmosis (FO) has aroused more and more interest in the field of wastewater treatment and recovery in recent years. Due to the driving force of osmotic pressure rather than hydraulic pressure, FO is considered as a low pollution process, thus saving costs and energy. In addition, due to the high rejection rate of FO membrane to various pollutants, it can obtain higher quality pure water. Recovering valuable resources from wastewater will transform wastewater management from a treatment focused to sustainability focused strategy, creating the need for new technology development. An innovative treatment concept which is based on cooperation between bioelectrochemical systems and forward osmosis has been introduced and studied in the past few years. Bioelectrochemical systems can provide draw solute, perform pre-treatment, or reduce reverse salt flux to help with FO operation; while FO can achieve water recovery, enhance current generation, and supply energy sources for the operation of bioelectrochemical systems. This paper reviews the past research, describes the principle, development history, as well as quantitative analysis, and discusses the prospects of OsMFC technology, focusing on the recovery of resources from wastewater, especially the research progress and existing problems of forward osmosis technology and microbial fuel cell coupling technology. Moreover, the future development trends of this technology were prospected, so as to promote the application of forward osmosis technology in sewage treatment and resource synchronous recovery
Chi Tran Nhu, Loc Do Quang, Chun-Ping Jen et al.
IEEE Sensors Letters · 2024
In this letter, a protein enrichment microfluidic platform with an integrated bioelectrochemical sensing system has been proposed and demonstrated for the first time, enabling protein preconcentration and detection. The proposed chip was composed of an electrochemical biosensor integrated into a preconcentrator with a dual-gate structure. The bioelectrochemical sensor had three electrodes, including working, counter, and reference electrodes. The working and counter electrodes were made of gold, while the reference electrode was made of Ag/AgCl. The preconcentrator was designed with three microchannels, with a main channel electrically connected to two subchannels through Nafion ion-selective membranes. The chip was fabricated using photolithography and soft lithography techniques. Ag and AgCl layers were deposited on the gold electrode to form the reference electrode. The Nafion membrane was created using the microflow patterning technique. Then, the gold electrode surface was modified to attach anti-albumin antibodies (anti-bovine serum albumin—anti-BSA) and form the biosensor. Bovine serum albumin–fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate was specifically bound to anti-BSA through the protein preconcentration process at the biosensor area. The experimental results show that bovine serum albumin (BSA) proteins were concentrated successfully after applying potentials to the ends of the microchannels. The protein concentration increased 25 times after 80 s. The change in the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) signal demonstrates the specific binding between BSA and anti-BSA on the electrode surface. In addition, the results also show the significant effectiveness of the protein preconcentration process for improving the binding ability and electrical signal amplification of the bioelectrochemical sensor. With the obtained results, a lab-on-a-chip system can be developed to quantify protein concentration and diagnose some cancer diseases.
Hanqing Fan, Yuxuan Huang, Ngai Yin Yip
Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering · 2022
Ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) are utilized in numerous established, emergent, and emerging applications for water, energy, and the environment. This article reviews the five different types of IEM selectivity, namely charge, valence, specific ion, ion/solvent, and ion/uncharged solute selectivities. Technological pathways to advance the selectivities through the sorption and migration mechanisms of transport in IEM are critically analyzed. Because of the underlying principles governing transport, efforts to enhance selectivity by tuning the membrane structural and chemical properties are almost always accompanied by a concomitant decline in permeability of the desired ion. Suppressing the undesired crossover of solvent and neutral species is crucial to realize the practical implementation of several technologies, including bioelectrochemical systems, hypersaline electrodialysis desalination, fuel cells, and redox flow batteries, but the ion/solvent and ion/uncharged solute selectivities are relatively understudied, compared to the ion/ion selectivities. Deepening fundamental understanding of the transport phenomena, specifically the factors underpinning structure-property-performance relationships, will be vital to guide the informed development of more selective IEMs. Innovations in material and membrane design offer opportunities to utilize ion discrimination mechanisms that are radically different from conventional IEMs and potentially depart from the putative permeability-selectivity tradeoff. Advancements in IEM selectivity can contribute to meeting the aqueous separation needs of water, energy, and environmental challenges.
E. Çevik, Mustafa Buyukharman, H. Yildiz
Biotechnology and Bioengineering · 2019
In this study, gold electrodes (GE) were coated with conducting polymers to obtain a high photocurrent using cyanobacteria from a novel bioelectrochemical fuel cell. For this purpose, 4‐(4H‐ditiheno[3,2‐b:2',3'‐d]pyrol‐4‐yl) aniline and 5‐(4H‐dithieno[3,2‐b:2',3'‐d]pyrol‐4‐yl) napthtalane‐1‐amine monomers were coated on GE by performing an electropolymerization process. After that, gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were specifically modified by 2‐mercaptoethane sulfonic acid and p‐aminothiophenol to attach to the electrode surface. The conducting polymers GE coat was modified with functionalized AuNP using a cross‐linker. The resulting electrode structures were characterized by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry under on‐off illumination using a fiber optic light source. Cyanobacteria Leptolyngbia sp. was added to the GE/conducting polymer/AuNP electrode surface and stabilized by using a cellulose membrane. During the illumination, water was oxidized by the photosynthesis, and oxygen was released. The released oxygen was electrocatalytically reduced at the cathode surface and a 25 nA/cm 2 photocurrent was observed in GE/ Leptolyngbia sp. After the electrode modifications, a significant improvement in the photocurrent up to 630 nA/cm 2 was achieved.
Nils Rohbohm, Tianran Sun, Ramiro Blasco-Gómez et al.
EES Catalysis · 2023
Carbon oxidation reaction enables a membrane-less bioelectrochemical system for microbial electrosynthesis.