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Montoya-Vallejo C, Gil Posada JO, Quintero-Díaz JC. Enhancement of Electricity Production in Microbial Fuel Cells Using a Biosurfactant-Producing Co-Culture. Molecules 2023; 28:7833. [PMID: 38067562 PMCID: PMC10708063 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells are bio-electrochemical devices that enable the conversion of chemical energy into bioelectricity. In this manuscript, the use of biosurfactants (Tween 80 and surfactin) and the effect of coculturing E. coli and L. plantarum were used to investigate the generation of bioelectricity coming from an H-type microbial fuel cell. In this setup, E. coli acts as an electron donor while L. plantarum acts as an in situ biosurfactant producer. It was observed that the use of exogenous surfactants enhanced electricity production compared to conventional E. coli cultures. The utilization of Tween 80 and surfactin increased the power generation from 204 µW m-2 to 506 µW m-2 and 577 µW m-2, respectively. Furthermore, co-culturing E. coli and L. plantarum also resulted in a higher power output compared to pure cultures (132.8% more when compared to using E. coli alone and 68.1% more when compared to using L. plantarum alone). Due to the presence of surfactants, the internal resistance of the cell was reduced. The experimental evidence collected here clearly indicates that the production of endogenous surfactants, as well as the addition of exogenous surfactants, will enhance MFC electricity production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Juan Carlos Quintero-Díaz
- Grupo de Bioprocesos, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia; (C.M.-V.); (J.O.G.P.)
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Li H, Cui Y, Wang F, Li J, Wu D, Fan J. Performance and microbial community analysis on nitrate removal in a bioelectrochemical reactor. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290660. [PMID: 37708197 PMCID: PMC10501573 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In this experiment, we took reflux sludge, sludge from an aeration tank, and soil from roots as microbial inoculating sources for an electrochemical device for denitrification with high-throughput sequencing on cathodic biofilms. The efficiency of nitrate nitrogen removal using different microbial inoculates varied among voltages. The optimal voltages for denitrification of reflux sludge, aeration tank sludge, and root soil were 0.7V, 0.5V, and 0.5V, respectively. Further analysis revealed that the respective voltages had a significant effect upon microbial growth from the respective inoculates. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the main denitrifying microbes. With the addition of low current (produced by the applied voltage), the Chao1, Shannon and Simpson indexes of the diversity of microorganisms in soil inoculation sources increased, indicating that low current can increase the diversity and richness of the microorganisms, while the reflux sludge and aeration tank sludge showed different changes. Low-current stimulation decreased microbial diversity to a certain extent. Pseudomonas showed a trend of decline with increasing applied voltage, in which the MEC (microbial electrolysis cell) of rhizosphere soil as inoculates decreased most significantly from 77.05% to 12.58%, while the MEC of Fusibacter showed a significant increase, and the sludge of reflux sludge, aeration tank and rhizosphere soil increased by 31.12%, 18.7% and 34.6%, respectively. The applied voltage also significantly increased the abundance of Azoarcus in communities from the respective inoculates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Ying Cui
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Fei Wang
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Jinghua Li
- School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Dafu Wu
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, Henan, P.R. China
| | - Jing Fan
- School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Yellow River and Huai River Water Environment and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
- Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Xinxiang, Henan, P. R. China
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Häuser L, Erben J, Pillot G, Kerzenmacher S, Dreher W, Küstermann E. In vivo characterization of electroactive biofilms inside porous electrodes with MR Imaging. RSC Adv 2022; 12:17784-17793. [PMID: 35765339 PMCID: PMC9199086 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra01162j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying the limiting processes of electroactive biofilms is key to improve the performance of bioelectrochemical systems (BES). For modelling and developing BES, spatial information of transport phenomena and biofilm distribution are required and can be determined by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in vivo, in situ and in operando even inside opaque porous electrodes. A custom bioelectrochemical cell was designed that allows MRI measurements with a spatial resolution of 50 μm inside a 500 μm thick porous carbon electrode. The MRI data showed that only a fraction of the electrode pore space is colonized by the Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 biofilm. The maximum biofilm density was observed inside the porous electrode close to the electrode-medium interface. Inside the biofilm, mass transport by diffusion is lowered down to 45% compared to the bulk growth medium. The presented data and the methods can be used for detailed models of bioelectrochemical systems and for the design of improved electrode structures. The use of magnetic resonance imaging can contribute to a better understanding of limiting processes occurring in electroactive biofilms especially inside opaque porous electrodes.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Häuser
- Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Technology (UFT), University of Bremen 28359 Bremen Germany
| | | | - Guillaume Pillot
- Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Technology (UFT), University of Bremen 28359 Bremen Germany
| | - Sven Kerzenmacher
- Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Technology (UFT), University of Bremen 28359 Bremen Germany
| | - Wolfgang Dreher
- In-vivo-MR Group, Faculty 02 (Biology/Chemistry), University of Bremen 28359 Bremen Germany
| | - Ekkehard Küstermann
- In-vivo-MR Group, Faculty 02 (Biology/Chemistry), University of Bremen 28359 Bremen Germany
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Boas JV, Oliveira VB, Simões M, Pinto AMFR. Review on microbial fuel cells applications, developments and costs. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 307:114525. [PMID: 35091241 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has attracted significant attention in the last years due to its potential to recover energy in a wastewater treatment. The idea of using an MFC in industry is very attractive as the organic wastes can be converted into energy, reducing the waste disposal costs and the energy needs while increasing the company profit. However, taking aside these promising prospects, the attempts to apply MFCs in large-scale have not been succeeded so far since their lower performance and high costs remains challenging. This review intends to present the main applications of the MFC systems and its developments, particularly the advances on configuration and operating conditions. The diagnostic techniques used to evaluate the MFC performance as well as the different modeling approaches are described. Towards the introduction of the MFC in the market, a cost analysis is also included. The development of low-cost materials and more efficient systems, with high higher power outputs and durability, are crucial towards the application of MFCs in industrial/large scale. This work is a helpful tool for discovering new operation and design regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Vilas Boas
- CEFT, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vânia B Oliveira
- CEFT, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Simões
- LEPABE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandra M F R Pinto
- CEFT, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
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Zhuang Z, Yang G, Zhuang L. Exopolysaccharides matrix affects the process of extracellular electron transfer in electroactive biofilm. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150713. [PMID: 34606863 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The applications of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) in the field of environment and energy are achieved through the bioelectrocatalytic process of electroactive biofilms. As a primary component of biofilm, the role of exopolysaccharides in electroactive biofilm in BESs is poorly understood. This study constructed an exopolysaccharides-deficient Geobacter sulfurreducens-based BES to explore the role of exopolysaccharides in electroactive biofilm. Compared with the wild type, the mutant biofilm expressing less exopolysaccharides decreased the capacity of current generation. In the mutant biofilm, the content of exopolysaccharides decreased significantly, resulting in a thinner biofilm and lower cell viability compared with the wild-type biofilm. However, the mutant with overexpressed pili developed a mature biofilm with extended time, which indicating the importance of exopolysaccharides for early biofilm formation and the compensatory role of pili in biofilm formation. The mutant biofilm had less content of c-type cytochromes (c-Cyts) and lower electrochemical activity of extracellular polymeric substances than the wild-type biofilm, suggesting a function of exopolysaccharides anchoring extracellular c-Cyts that essential to extracellular electron transfer (EET) in electroactive biofilms. Our findings demonstrated the essential role of exopolysaccharides in the process of EET in electroactive biofilm, which contributed to a better understanding and optimization of the performance of BESs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhuang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Guiqin Yang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Li Zhuang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
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Arulmani SRB, Gnanamuthu HL, Kandasamy S, Govindarajan G, Alsehli M, Elfasakhany A, Pugazhendhi A, Zhang H. Sustainable bioelectricity production from Amaranthus viridis and Triticum aestivum mediated plant microbial fuel cells with efficient electrogenic bacteria selections. Process Biochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2021.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Gambino E, Chandrasekhar K, Nastro RA. SMFC as a tool for the removal of hydrocarbons and metals in the marine environment: a concise research update. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:30436-30451. [PMID: 33891239 PMCID: PMC8238742 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13593-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine pollution is becoming more and more serious, especially in coastal areas. Because of the sequestration and consequent accumulation of pollutants in sediments (mainly organic compounds and heavy metals), marine environment restoration cannot exempt from effective remediation of sediments themselves. It has been well proven that, after entering into the seawater, these pollutants are biotransformed into their metabolites, which may be more toxic than their parent molecules. Based on their bioavailability and toxic nature, these compounds may accumulate into the living cells of marine organisms. Pollutants bioaccumulation and biomagnification along the marine food chain lead to seafood contamination and human health hazards. Nowadays, different technologies are available for sediment remediation, such as physicochemical, biological, and bioelectrochemical processes. This paper gives an overview of the most recent techniques for marine sediment remediation while presenting sediment-based microbial fuel cells (SMFCs). We discuss the issues, the progress, and future perspectives of SMFC application to the removal of hydrocarbons and metals in the marine environment with concurrent energy production. We give an insight into the possible mechanisms leading to sediment remediation, SMFC energy balance, and future exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edvige Gambino
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Kuppam Chandrasekhar
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Telangana, 506004, India.
| | - Rosa Anna Nastro
- Department of Science and Technology, University Parthenope of Naples, Naples, Italy.
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Recent progress and developments in membrane materials for microbial electrochemistry technologies: A review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2019.100308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Judith Martínez E, Blanco D, Gómez X. Two-Stage Process to Enhance Bio-hydrogen Production. BIOFUEL AND BIOREFINERY TECHNOLOGIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-10516-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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