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Vassilev I, Rinta-Kanto JM, Kokko M. Comparing the performance of fluidized and fixed granular activated carbon beds as cathodes for microbial electrosynthesis of carboxylates from CO 2. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 403:130896. [PMID: 38795921 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) can use renewable electricity to power microbial conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into carboxylates. To ensure high productivities in MES, good mass transfer must be ensured, which could be accomplished with fluidization of granular activated carbon (GAC). In this study, fluidized and fixed GAC bed cathodes were compared. Acetate production rate and current density were 42 % and 47 % lower, respectively, in fluidized than fixed bed reactors. Although similar microbial consortium dominated by Eubacterium and Proteiniphilum was observed, lowest biomass quantity was measured with fixed GAC bed indicating higher specific acetate production rates compared to fluidized GAC bed. Furthermore, charge efficiency was the highest and charge recovery in carboxylates the lowest in fixed GAC beds indicating enhanced hydrogen evolution and need for enhancing CO2 feeding to enable higher production rates of acetate. Overall, fixed GAC beds have higher efficiency for acetate production in MES than fluidized GAC beds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Vassilev
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Finland
| | | | - Marika Kokko
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Finland.
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2
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Suri D, Aeshala LM, Palai T. Microbial electrosynthesis of valuable chemicals from the reduction of CO 2: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-33678-z. [PMID: 38772994 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33678-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The present energy demand of the world is increasing but the fossil fuels are gradually depleting. As a result, the need for alternative fuels and energy sources is growing. Fuel cells could be one alternative to address the challenge. The fuel cell can convert CO2 to value-added chemicals. The potential of bio-fuel cells, specifically enzymatic fuel cells and microbial fuel cells, and the importance of immobilization technology in bio-fuel cells are highlighted. The review paper also includes a detailed explanation of the microbial electrosynthesis system to reduce CO2 and the value-added products during microbial electrosynthesis. Future research in bio-electrochemical synthesis for CO2 conversion is expected to prioritize enhancing biocatalyst efficiency, refining reactor design, exploring novel electrode materials, understanding microbial interactions, integrating renewable energy sources, and investigating electrochemical processes for carbon capture and selective CO2 reduction. The challenges and perspectives of bio-electrochemical systems in the application of CO2 conversion are also discussed. Overall, this review paper provides valuable insights into the latest developments and criteria for effective research and implementation in bio-fuel cells, immobilization technology, and microbial electro-synthesis systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diksha Suri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, 177005, India
| | - Leela Manohar Aeshala
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Srinagar, Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, 190006, India
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, Telangana, 506004, India
| | - Tapas Palai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, 177005, India.
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3
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Bian B, Yu N, Akbari A, Shi L, Zhou X, Xie C, Saikaly PE, Logan BE. Using a non-precious metal catalyst for long-term enhancement of methane production in a zero-gap microbial electrosynthesis cell. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 259:121815. [PMID: 38820732 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) cells exploit the ability of microbes to convert CO2 into valuable chemical products such as methane and acetate, but high rates of chemical production may need to be mediated by hydrogen and thus require a catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). To avoid the usage of precious metal catalysts and examine the impact of the catalyst on the rate of methane generation by microbes on the electrode, we used a carbon felt cathode coated with NiMo/C and compared performance to a bare carbon felt or a Pt/C-deposited cathode. A zero-gap configuration containing a cation exchange membrane was developed to produce a low internal resistance, limit pH changes, and enhance direct transport of H2 to microorganisms on the biocathode. At a fixed cathode potential of -1 V vs Ag/AgCl, the NiMo/C biocathode enabled a current density of 23 ± 4 A/m2 and a high methane production rate of 4.7 ± 1.0 L/L-d. This performance was comparable to that using a precious metal catalyst (Pt/C, 23 ± 6 A/m2, 5.4 ± 2.8 L/L-d), and 3-5 times higher than plain carbon cathodes (8 ± 3 A/m2, 1.0 ± 0.4 L/L-d). The NiMo/C biocathode was operated for over 120 days without observable decay or severe cathode catalyst leaching, reaching an average columbic efficiency of 53 ± 9 % based on methane production under steady state conditions. Analysis of microbial community on the biocathode revealed the dominance of the hydrogenotrophic genus Methanobacterium (∼40 %), with no significant difference found for biocathodes with different materials. These results demonstrated that HER catalysts improved rates of methane generation through facilitating hydrogen gas evolution to an attached biofilm, and that the long-term enhancement of methane production in MES was feasible using a non-precious metal catalyst and a zero-gap cell design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Bian
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Najiaowa Yu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Amir Akbari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Le Shi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Xuechen Zhou
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Chenghan Xie
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bruce E Logan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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4
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Ma J, Feng Y, Li L, Zhu L, He Q, Shi Z, Ke S, Ke Q, Zhao Q. Redox mediators stimulated chain elongation process in fluidized cathode electro-fermentation systems for caproate production. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 348:119286. [PMID: 37857216 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), the secondary products of traditional anaerobic fermentation, can be produced via chain elongation (CE), a process often retarded due to the difficulty during interspecies electron transfer (IET). This study employed redox mediators, neutral red (NR), methyl viologen (MV), and methylene blue (MB) as electron shuttles to expedite the electro-fermentation for caproate production by improving IET. Results showed that MV increased the MCFAs production by promoting acetate to ethanol conversion, leading to the highest MCFAs selectivity of 68.73%. While NR was indicated to improve CE by encouraging H2 production, and the biocathode had the highest electrical activity due to the smallest internal resistance and largest capacitance increase of 96% than the control. A higher proportion of Sutterella, Prevotella, and Hydrogenophaga, linked with the H2 mediated interspecies electron transfer (MIET) during CE process, was observed across redox mediators supplied groups compared to the control. The presence of mediators led to an elevated abundance of key enzymes for enhanced CE process and electron transfer. This study provided the perspective of the stimulated electron transfer for improved MCFAs production in electro-fermentation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Ma
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Water Security Technology and Application, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Yingxin Feng
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Water Security Technology and Application, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Lu Li
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Water Security Technology and Application, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Liang Zhu
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Water Security Technology and Application, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Qiulai He
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Water Security Technology and Application, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China.
| | - Zhou Shi
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Water Security Technology and Application, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Shuizhou Ke
- Hunan Engineering Research Center of Water Security Technology and Application, College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Building Safety and Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Education, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, PR China
| | - Qiang Ke
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ecological Treatment Technology for Urban Water Pollution, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, PR China
| | - Quanbao Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1799 Jimei Road, Xiamen, 361021, PR China
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5
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Li S, Zhang H, Zhang H, Li S, Xing F, Chen T, Duan L. Impact analysis of operating conditions on carbon dioxide reduction in microbial electrosynthesis: Insight into the substance utilization and microbial response. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 390:129879. [PMID: 37866769 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is facing a series of problems including low energy utilization and production efficiency of high value-added products, which seriously hinder its practical application. In this study, a more practical direct current power source was used and the anaerobic activated sludge from wastewater treatment plants was inoculated to construct the acetic acid-producing MES. The operating conditions of acetic acid production were further optimized and the specific mechanisms involving the substance utilization and microbial response were revealed. The optimum conditions were the potential of 3.0 V and pH 6.0. Under these conditions, highly electroactive biofilms formed and all kinds of substances were effectively utilized. In addition, dominant bacteria (Acetobacterium, Desulfovibrio, Sulfuricurvum, Sulfurospirillum, and Fusibacter) had high abundances. Under optimal conditions, acetic acid-forming characteristic genera (Acetobacterium) had the highest relative abundance (Biocathode-25.82 % and Suspension-17.24 %). This study provided references for the optimal operating conditions of MES and revealed the corresponding mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; Institute of Water Ecology and Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China
| | - Haiya Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; Institute of Water Ecology and Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China.
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Siqi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; Institute of Water Ecology and Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Fei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; Institute of Water Ecology and Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China
| | - Tianyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; Institute of Water Ecology and Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, PR China
| | - Liang Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China; Institute of Water Ecology and Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China.
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6
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Boucher DG, Carroll E, Nguyen ZA, Jadhav RG, Simoska O, Beaver K, Minteer SD. Bioelectrocatalytic Synthesis: Concepts and Applications. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202307780. [PMID: 37428529 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202307780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectrocatalytic synthesis is the conversion of electrical energy into value-added products using biocatalysts. These methods merge the specificity and selectivity of biocatalysis and energy-related electrocatalysis to address challenges in the sustainable synthesis of pharmaceuticals, commodity chemicals, fuels, feedstocks and fertilizers. However, the specialized experimental setups and domain knowledge for bioelectrocatalysis pose a significant barrier to adoption. This review introduces key concepts of bioelectrosynthetic systems. We provide a tutorial on the methods of biocatalyst utilization, the setup of bioelectrosynthetic cells, and the analytical methods for assessing bioelectrocatalysts. Key applications of bioelectrosynthesis in ammonia production and small-molecule synthesis are outlined for both enzymatic and microbial systems. This review serves as a necessary introduction and resource for the non-specialist interested in bioelectrosynthetic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan G Boucher
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Emily Carroll
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Zachary A Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rohit G Jadhav
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Olja Simoska
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Kevin Beaver
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Shelley D Minteer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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7
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Thulluru LP, Ghangrekar MM, Chowdhury S. Progress and perspectives on microbial electrosynthesis for valorisation of CO 2 into value-added products. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 332:117323. [PMID: 36716542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a neoteric technology that facilitates biocatalysed synthesis of organic compounds with the aid of homoacetogenic bacteria, while feeding CO2 as an inorganic carbon source. Operating MES with surplus renewable electricity further enhances the sustainability of this innovative bioelectrochemical system (BES). However, several lacunae exist in the domain knowledge, stunting the widespread application of MES. Despite significant progress in this area over the past decade, the product yield efficiency is not on par with other contemporary technologies. This bottleneck can be overcome by adopting a holistic approach, i.e., applying innovative and integrated solutions to ensure a robust MES operation. Further, the widespread deployment of MES exclusively relies on its ability to mature a sessile biofilm over a biocompatible electrode, while offering minimal charge transfer resistance. Additionally, operating MES preferably at H2-generating reduction potential and valorising industrial off-gas as carbon substrate is crucial to accomplish economic sustainability. In light of the aforementioned, this review collates the latest progress in the design and development of MES-centred systems for valorisation of CO2 into value-added products. Specifically, it highlights the significance of inoculum pre-treatment for promoting biocatalytic activity and biofilm growth on the cathodic surface. In addition, it summarizes the diverse materials that are commonly used as electrodes in MES, with an emphasis on the importance of inexpensive, robust, and biocompatible electrode materials for the practical application of MES technology. Further, the review presents insights into media conditions, operational factors, and reactor configurations that affect the overall performance of MES process. Finally, the product range of MES, downstream processing requirements, and integration of MES with other environmental remediation technologies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Pathi Thulluru
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Makarand M Ghangrekar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Shamik Chowdhury
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
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8
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Wu P, Zhang J, Li J, Zhang Y, Fu B, Xu MY, Zhang YF, Liu H. Deciphering the role and mechanism of nano zero-valent iron on medium chain fatty acids production from CO 2 via chain elongation in microbial electrosynthesis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 863:160898. [PMID: 36521595 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The integrated system of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) coupled with chain elongation has been considered a promising platform for carboxylic acids production. However, this biotechnology is still in its infancy, and many limitations are needed to be transcended, such as low electron transfer efficiency between cathode and microbes. In this study, nano zero-valent iron (NZVI) was employed to improve carboxylic acid production in the integrated system, and the promotion mechanisms were revealed. Results suggested that the highest production concentrations of acetate, butyrate, and caproate were observed at 7.5 g/L optimized NZVI dosage, increasing the total yield and coulomb efficiency by 23.7 % and 40.3 % compared to the control. Mechanism studies indicated that the hydrogen and electron released by the anaerobic corrosion of NZVI could be used as additional reducing equivalents, thereby enhancing the electron transfer performance. Besides, NZVI was also proven to facilitate the formation of electroactive biofilms according to the results of biofilm characterization and total DNA. In functional microbes' respect, the moderate NZVI enriched the chain elongator in biofilm, like Clostridium_sensu-stricto_12, and upregulated the activities of key enzymes of homoacetogenesis and chain elongation metabolic pathways, like carbon-monoxide dehydrogenase and hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase. This study provided the evidence and revealed how NZVI assisted carboxylic acid production from CO2 via chain elongation in MES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wu
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Treatment Technology and Material, Suzhou 215011, China
| | - Bo Fu
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Treatment Technology and Material, Suzhou 215011, China
| | - Ming-Yi Xu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Yi-Feng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark
| | - He Liu
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Treatment Technology and Material, Suzhou 215011, China.
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9
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Zhang C, Liu H, Wu P, Li J, Zhang J. Clostridium kluyveri enhances caproate production by synergistically cooperating with acetogens in mixed microbial community of electro-fermentation system. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 369:128436. [PMID: 36470493 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As a chain elongation (CE) model strain, Clostridium kluyveri has been used in the studies of bioaugmentation of caproate production. However, its application in the novel electro-fermentation CE system for bioaugmentation is still unclear. In this study, the CE performances, with or without bioaugmentation and in conventional or electro-fermentation systems were compared. And the mechanism of electrochemical-bioaugmentation by constructing a co-culture of Acetobacterium woodii and Clostridium kluyveri were further verified. Results demonstrated that the bioaugmentation treatments have better CE performance, especially in electro-fermentation system, with a highest caproate concentration of 4.68 g·L-1. Mechanism analysis revealed that C. kluyveri responded to the electric field and emerged synergy with the acetogens, which was proved by the increases of C. kluyveri colonization and the acetogens abundance in biofilm and supported by the co-culture experiment. This study provides a novel insight of microbial synergy mechanism of C. kluyveri during CE bioaugmentation in electro-fermentation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zhang
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - He Liu
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Treatment Technology and Material, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, 215011, China.
| | - Ping Wu
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jing Li
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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10
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Annie Modestra J, Matsakas L, Rova U, Christakopoulos P. Prospects and trends in bioelectrochemical systems: Transitioning from CO 2 towards a low-carbon circular bioeconomy. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 364:128040. [PMID: 36182019 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Resource scarcity and climate change are the most quested topics in view of environmental sustainability. CO2 sequestration through bioelectrochemical systems is an attractive option for fostering bioeconomy development upon several value-added products generation. This review details the state-of-the-art of bioelectrochemical systems for resource recovery from CO2 along with various biocatalysts capable of utilizing CO2. Two bioprocesses (photo-electrosynthesis and chemolithoelectrosynthesis) were discussed projecting their potential for biobased economy development from CO2. Significance of adopting circular strategies for efficient resource recycling, intensifying product value, integrations/interlinking of multiple process chains for the development of circular bioeconomy were discussed. Existing constrains as well as outlook for near establishment of circular bioeconomy from CO2 is presented by weighing fore-sighted plans with current actions. Need for developing CO2-based circular bioeconomy via innovative business models by analyzing social, technical, environmental and product related aspects are also discussed providing a roadmap of gaps to pursue for attaining practicality.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Annie Modestra
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971‑87, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Leonidas Matsakas
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971‑87, Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika Rova
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971‑87, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Paul Christakopoulos
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971‑87, Luleå, Sweden
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11
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A meta-analysis of acetogenic and methanogenic microbiomes in microbial electrosynthesis. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:73. [PMID: 36138044 PMCID: PMC9500080 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00337-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A meta-analysis approach was used, to study the microbiomes of biofilms and planktonic communities underpinning microbial electrosynthesis (MES) cells. High-throughput DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons has been increasingly applied to understand MES systems. In this meta-analysis of 22 studies, we find that acetogenic and methanogenic MES cells share 80% of a cathodic core microbiome, and that different inoculum pre-treatments strongly affect community composition. Oxygen scavengers were more abundant in planktonic communities, and several key organisms were associated with operating parameters and good cell performance. We suggest Desulfovibrio sp. play a role in initiating early biofilm development and shaping microbial communities by catalysing H2 production, to sustain either Acetobacterium sp. or Methanobacterium sp. Microbial community assembly became more stochastic over time, causing diversification of the biofilm (cathodic) community in acetogenic cells and leading to re-establishment of methanogens, despite inoculum pre-treatments. This suggests that repeated interventions may be required to suppress methanogenesis.
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12
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Abdollahi M, Al Sbei S, Rosenbaum MA, Harnisch F. The oxygen dilemma: The challenge of the anode reaction for microbial electrosynthesis from CO2. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:947550. [PMID: 35992647 PMCID: PMC9381829 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.947550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) from CO2 provides chemicals and fuels by driving the metabolism of microorganisms with electrons from cathodes in bioelectrochemical systems. These microorganisms are usually strictly anaerobic. At the same time, the anode reaction of bioelectrochemical systems is almost exclusively water splitting through the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This creates a dilemma for MES development and engineering. Oxygen penetration to the cathode has to be excluded to avoid toxicity and efficiency losses while assuring low resistance. We show that this dilemma derives a strong need to identify novel reactor designs when using the OER as an anode reaction or to fully replace OER with alternative oxidation reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maliheh Abdollahi
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sara Al Sbei
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Miriam A. Rosenbaum
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Falk Harnisch,
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Bajracharya S, Krige A, Matsakas L, Rova U, Christakopoulos P. Advances in cathode designs and reactor configurations of microbial electrosynthesis systems to facilitate gas electro-fermentation. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 354:127178. [PMID: 35436538 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In gas fermentation, a range of chemolithoautotrophs fix single-carbon (C1) gases (CO2 and CO) when H2 or other reductants are available. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) enables CO2 reduction by generating H2 or reducing equivalents with the sole input of renewable electricity. A combined approach as gas electro-fermentation is attractive for the sustainable production of biofuels and biochemicals utilizing C1 gases. Various platform compounds such as acetate, butyrate, caproate, ethanol, butanol and bioplastics can be produced. However, technological challenges pertaining to the microbe-material interactions such as poor gas-liquid mass transfer, low biomass and biofilm coverage on cathode, low productivities still exist. We are presenting a review on latest developments in MES focusing on the configuration and design of cathodes that can address the challenges and support the gas electro-fermentation. Overall, the opportunities for advancing CO and CO2-based biochemicals and biofuels production in MES with suitable cathode/reactor design are prospected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Bajracharya
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Adolf Krige
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Leonidas Matsakas
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Rova
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Paul Christakopoulos
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden
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Aryal N, Zhang Y, Bajracharya S, Pant D, Chen X. Microbial electrochemical approaches of carbon dioxide utilization for biogas upgrading. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:132843. [PMID: 34767847 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical approach is an emerging technology for biogas upgrading through carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction and biomethane (or value-added products) production. There is limited literature critically reviewing the latest scientific developments on the bioelectrochemical system (BES) based biogas upgrading technologies, including CO2 reduction efficiency, methane (CH4) yields, reactor operating conditions, and electrode materials tested in the BES reactor. This review analyzes the reported performance and identifies crucial parameters considered for future optimization, which is currently missing. Further, the performances of BES approach of biogas upgrading under various operating settings in particular fed-batch, continuous mode in connection to the microbial dynamics and cathode materials have been thoroughly scrutinized and discussed. Additionally, other versatile application options associated with BES based biogas upgrading, such as resource recovery, are presented. Three-dimensional electrode materials have shown superior performance in supplying the electrons for the reduction of CO2 to CH4. Most of the studies on the biogas upgrading process conclude hydrogen (H2) mediated electron transfer mechanism in BES biogas upgrading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabin Aryal
- Department of Microsystems, University of South-Eastern Norway, Borre, Norway.
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Suman Bajracharya
- Biochemical Process Engineering Department, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
| | - Deepak Pant
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium
| | - Xuyuan Chen
- Department of Microsystems, University of South-Eastern Norway, Borre, Norway
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Wang W, Chang JS, Lee DJ. Integrating anaerobic digestion with bioelectrochemical system for performance enhancement: A mini review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 345:126519. [PMID: 34896531 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Strategies for enhancing performance of anaerobic digestion (AD) process has been widely studied. The bioelectrochemical system (BES), including microbial fuel cell, microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), microbial desalination cell, and microbial electrosynthesis, had been proposed to integrate with AD for performance enhancement. This mini-review summarizes the current researches that integrated AD with BES to enhance the performance of the former. The working principles of BES were introduced. The integrated configurations of AD-BES as well as the associated applications were summarized. The statistics analysis for AD-MEC performances reported in literature were then performed to confirm the effects of reactor size and applied voltage on the methane productivity and enhancement. The challenges and prospects of the integrated AD-BES were delineated, and the potential scenarios of applying integrated AD-BES in field were discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Chemistry Division, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tang, Hong Kong.
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Alvarez Chavez B, Raghavan V, Tartakovsky B. A comparative analysis of biopolymer production by microbial and bioelectrochemical technologies. RSC Adv 2022; 12:16105-16118. [PMID: 35733669 PMCID: PMC9159792 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra08796g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Production of biopolymers from renewable carbon sources provides a path towards a circular economy. This review compares several existing and emerging approaches for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production from soluble organic and gaseous carbon sources and considers technologies based on pure and mixed microbial cultures. While bioplastics are most often produced from soluble sources of organic carbon, the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) as the carbon source for PHA production is emerging as a sustainable approach that combines CO2 sequestration with the production of a value-added product. Techno-economic analysis suggests that the emerging approach of CO2 conversion to carboxylic acids by microbial electrosynthesis followed by microbial PHA production could lead to a novel cost-efficient technology for production of green biopolymers. Biopolymers production from renewable carbon sources.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Alvarez Chavez
- McGill University, Bioresource Engineering Department, 21111 Lakeshore Rd., Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
- National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Ave, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Vijaya Raghavan
- McGill University, Bioresource Engineering Department, 21111 Lakeshore Rd., Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Boris Tartakovsky
- McGill University, Bioresource Engineering Department, 21111 Lakeshore Rd., Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
- National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Ave, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada
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Chen LF, Yu H, Zhang J, Qin HY. A short review of graphene in the microbial electrosynthesis of biochemicals from carbon dioxide. RSC Adv 2022; 12:22770-22782. [PMID: 36105988 PMCID: PMC9376761 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra02038f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a potential energy transformation technology for the reduction of the greenhouse gas carbon oxide (CO2) into commercial chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. F. Chen
- New Energy Materials Research Center, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - H. Yu
- New Energy Materials Research Center, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - J. Zhang
- New Energy Materials Research Center, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - H. Y. Qin
- New Energy Materials Research Center, College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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Ayol A, Peixoto L, Keskin T, Abubackar HN. Reactor Designs and Configurations for Biological and Bioelectrochemical C1 Gas Conversion: A Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111683. [PMID: 34770196 PMCID: PMC8583215 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Microbial C1 gas conversion technologies have developed into a potentially promising technology for converting waste gases (CO2, CO) into chemicals, fuels, and other materials. However, the mass transfer constraint of these poorly soluble substrates to microorganisms is an important challenge to maximize the efficiencies of the processes. These technologies have attracted significant scientific interest in recent years, and many reactor designs have been explored. Syngas fermentation and hydrogenotrophic methanation use molecular hydrogen as an electron donor. Furthermore, the sequestration of CO2 and the generation of valuable chemicals through the application of a biocathode in bioelectrochemical cells have been evaluated for their great potential to contribute to sustainability. Through a process termed microbial chain elongation, the product portfolio from C1 gas conversion may be expanded further by carefully driving microorganisms to perform acetogenesis, solventogenesis, and reverse β-oxidation. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the various kinds of bioreactors that are employed in these microbial C1 conversion processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azize Ayol
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir 35390, Turkey;
| | - Luciana Peixoto
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
| | - Tugba Keskin
- Department of Environmental Protection Technologies, Izmir Democracy University, Izmir 35140, Turkey;
| | - Haris Nalakath Abubackar
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, BIOENGIN Group, Faculty of Sciences and Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), University of A Coruña, 15008 A Coruña, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Yang HY, Hou NN, Wang YX, Liu J, He CS, Wang YR, Li WH, Mu Y. Mixed-culture biocathodes for acetate production from CO 2 reduction in the microbial electrosynthesis: Impact of temperature. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 790:148128. [PMID: 34098277 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The temperature effect on bioelectrochemical reduction of CO2 to acetate with a mixed-culture biocathode in the microbial electrosynthesis was explored. The results showed that maximum acetate amount of 525.84 ± 1.55 mg L-1 and fastest acetate formation of 49.21 ± 0.49 mg L-1 d-1 were obtained under mesophilic conditions. Electron recovery efficiency for CO2 reduction to acetate ranged from 14.50 ± 2.20% to 64.86 ± 2.20%, due to propionate, butyrate and H2 generation. Mesophilic conditions were demonstrated to be more favorable for biofilm formation on the cathode, resulting in a stable and dense biofilm. At phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes phylum in the biofilm remarkably increased under mesophilic conditions, compared with that at psychrophilic and thermophilic conditions. At genus level, the Clostridium, Treponema, Acidithiobacillus, Acetobacterium and Acetoanaerobium were found to be dominated genera in the biofilm under mesophilic conditions, while genera diversity decreased under psychrophilic and thermophilic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hou-Yun Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Wastewater Reuse of Anhui Province, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, China
| | - Nan-Nan Hou
- CAS Key Laboratory for Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China; School of Physics and Materials Engineering, Hefei Normal University, Hefei, China
| | - Yi-Xuan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Jing Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chuan-Shu He
- CAS Key Laboratory for Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yi-Ran Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wei-Hua Li
- Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Wastewater Reuse of Anhui Province, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Anhui Jianzhu University, Hefei, China
| | - Yang Mu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, China
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21
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Wood JC, Grové J, Marcellin E, Heffernan JK, Hu S, Yuan Z, Virdis B. Strategies to improve viability of a circular carbon bioeconomy-A techno-economic review of microbial electrosynthesis and gas fermentation. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 201:117306. [PMID: 34153823 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A circular carbon bioeconomy has potential to halt atmospheric accumulation of greenhouse gases causing climate change and sustainably produce chemical, agricultural and fuel products. Here, we report application of a simplified technoeconomic assessment to critically review two approaches in this space - microbial electrosynthesis and gas fermentation. For microbial electrosynthesis, decoupling of surface-dependant abiotic process for electron delivery from volume-dependant biotic carbon fixation, is shown as the only economically viable strategy to scale-up due to comparatively low biofilm electron consumption rate. This is effectively an electrolyser-assisted gas fermentation system. Targeting high-value products, such as protein for human food consumption is one of the few pathways forward for electrolyser-assisted gas fermentation. Alternatively, gas fermentation of reformed biogas presents an interesting and potentially more sustainable implementation pathway to improve economic viability of chemicals. This critical review suggests linking water treatment resource recovery with gas fermentation is attractive for bioplastics and butanol in terms of competitiveness and market demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamin C Wood
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Johannes Grové
- Energy & Poverty Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Esteban Marcellin
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Queensland Node of Metabolomics Australia, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - James K Heffernan
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Shihu Hu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Bernardino Virdis
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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22
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Thatikayala D, Min B. Copper ferrite supported reduced graphene oxide as cathode materials to enhance microbial electrosynthesis of volatile fatty acids from CO 2. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 768:144477. [PMID: 33736314 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Copper ferrite/reduced graphene oxide (CF/rGO) nanocomposites (NCs) was synthesized using the bio-combustion method and applied as a cathode catalyst in the microbial reduction of CO2 to volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in a single chamber microbial electrosynthesis system (MES). The synthesized NCs exhibited a porous network-like structure with a high surface area of CF/rGO (158.22 m2/g), which was 2.24 folds higher than that of CF. The Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis for CF/rGO/Carbon cloth (Cc) revealed a high reduction current density of -7.3 A/m2 and a low charge transfer resistance of 2.8 Ω. The isobutyrate and acetate in MES-2 (Cu/rGO/Cc) were produced at 35.37 g/m2/d, which was 1.53 folds higher than that of MES-1 (bare Cc: 23.10 g/m2/d). The columbic efficiency (77.78%) and total VFA concentration (1941.13 ± 83 mg COD/L) were noted to be 1.97 and 1.6 folds higher for MES-2 than MES-1, respectively. The Tafel plot drawn from the CV curves exhibited an exchange current density value of MES-2 that was 3.46 A/m2, and this value was 1.19 and 33.92 folds higher than that of MES-1 and abiotic CF/rGO/Cc, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) observations revealed enhanced rod-shaped bacteria had grown on the cathode suggesting excellent biocompatible and multi-length scale porosity of CF/rGO catalysts for enhanced colonization of microbes. The phyla Proteobacteria (Betaproteobacteria), Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were highly abundant as the dominant microbial communities on the cathode, which might played a major role in bioelectrochemical CO2 reduction to VFAs. The results from this study clearly demonstrate that the CF/rGO/Cc electrode could serve as a conductive element between microbes and bactericidal electrodes with excellent electrochemical properties to enable performance of the MES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayakar Thatikayala
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Booki Min
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Fontmorin JM, Izadi P, Li D, Lim SS, Farooq S, Bilal SS, Cheng S, Yu EH. Gas diffusion electrodes modified with binary doped polyaniline for enhanced CO2 conversion during microbial electrosynthesis. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.137853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Das S, Das S, Ghangrekar M. Application of TiO2 and Rh as cathode catalyst to boost the microbial electrosynthesis of organic compounds through CO2 sequestration. Process Biochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2020.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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25
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Das S, Ghangrekar MM. Performance comparison between batch and continuous mode of operation of microbial electrosynthesis for the production of organic chemicals. J APPL ELECTROCHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10800-020-01524-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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26
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Lin R, Deng C, Zhang W, Hollmann F, Murphy JD. Production of Bio-alkanes from Biomass and CO 2. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 39:370-380. [PMID: 33451822 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical technologies such as electro-fermentation and microbial CO2 electrosynthesis are emerging interdisciplinary technologies that can produce renewable fuels and chemicals (such as carboxylic acids). The benefits of electrically driven bioprocesses include improved production rate, selectivity, and carbon conversion efficiency. However, the accumulation of products can lead to inhibition of biocatalysts, necessitating further effort in separating products. The recent discovery of a new photoenzyme, capable of converting carboxylic acids to bio-alkanes, has offered an opportunity for system integration, providing a promising approach for simultaneous product separation and valorisation. Combining the strengths of photo/bio/electrochemical catalysis, we discuss an innovative circular cascading system that converts biomass and CO2 to value-added bio-alkanes (CnH2n+2, n = 2 to 5) whilst achieving carbon circularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richen Lin
- MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; School of Engineering, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Chen Deng
- MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; School of Engineering, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - Wuyuan Zhang
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, China.
| | - Frank Hollmann
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Jerry D Murphy
- MaREI Centre, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; School of Engineering, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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Bian B, Xu J, Katuri KP, Saikaly PE. Resistance assessment of microbial electrosynthesis for biochemical production to changes in delivery methods and CO 2 flow rates. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 319:124177. [PMID: 33035863 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) for CO2 valorization could be influenced by fluctuations in CO2 mass transfer and flow rates. In this study, we developed an efficient method for CO2 delivery to cathodic biofilm by directly sparging CO2 through the pores of ceramic hollow fiber wrapped with Ni-foam/carbon nanotube electrode, and obtained 45% and 77% higher acetate and methane production, respectively. This was followed by the MES stability test in response to fluctuations in CO2 flow rates varying from 0.3 ml/min to 10 ml/min. The biochemical production exhibited an increasing trend with CO2 flow rates, achieving higher acetate (47.0 ± 18.4 mmol/m2/day) and methane (240.0 ± 32.2 mmol/m2/day) generation at 10 ml/min with over 90% coulombic efficiency. The biofilm and suspended biomass, however, showed high resistance to CO2 flow fluctuations with Methanobacterium and Acetobacterium accounting for 80% of the total microbial community, which suggests the robustness of MES for onsite carbon conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Bian
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jiajie Xu
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Krishna P Katuri
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE) Division, Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia.
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Extracellular Electrons Powered Microbial CO2 Upgrading: Microbial Electrosynthesis and Artificial Photosynthesis. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 180:243-271. [DOI: 10.1007/10_2021_179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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29
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Roy M, Yadav R, Chiranjeevi P, Patil SA. Direct utilization of industrial carbon dioxide with low impurities for acetate production via microbial electrosynthesis. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 320:124289. [PMID: 33129088 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to demonstrate the utilization of unpurified industrial CO2 with low impurities for acetate production via microbial electrosynthesis (MES) for the first time. In MES experiments with CO2-rich brewery gas, the enriched mixed culture dominated by Acetobacterium produced 1.8 ± 0.2 g/L acetic acid at 0.26 ± 0.03 g/Lcatholyte/d rate and outperformed a pure culture of Clostridium ljungdahlii (1.1 ± 0.02 g/L; 0.138 ± 0.004 g/Lcatholyte/d). The electron recovery in acetic acid was also more for mixed culture (84 ± 13%) than C. ljungdahlii (42 ± 14%). Electrochemical analysis of biocathodes suggested the role of microbial biofilm in improved hydrogen electrocatalysis. In comparative gas fermentation tests, the mixed culture outperformed C. ljungdahlii and produced acetic acid at a similar level with both industrial and pure CO2 feedstocks. These results suggest the robustness and capability of the mixed microbial community for utilizing slightly impure industrial CO2 for bioproduction and presents a major advancement in MES technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moumita Roy
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali (IISER Mohali), Sector 81, S.A.S. Nagar, Manauli PO 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Ravineet Yadav
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali (IISER Mohali), Sector 81, S.A.S. Nagar, Manauli PO 140306, Punjab, India
| | - P Chiranjeevi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali (IISER Mohali), Sector 81, S.A.S. Nagar, Manauli PO 140306, Punjab, India
| | - Sunil A Patil
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali (IISER Mohali), Sector 81, S.A.S. Nagar, Manauli PO 140306, Punjab, India.
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Jourdin L, Burdyny T. Microbial Electrosynthesis: Where Do We Go from Here? Trends Biotechnol 2020; 39:359-369. [PMID: 33279279 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The valorization of CO2 to valuable products via microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a technology transcending the disciplines of microbiology, (electro)chemistry, and engineering, bringing opportunities and challenges. As the field looks to the future, further emphasis is expected to be placed on engineering efficient reactors for biocatalysts, to thrive and overcome factors which may be limiting performance. Meanwhile, ample opportunities exist to take the lessons learned in traditional and adjacent electrochemical fields to shortcut learning curves. As the technology transitions into the next decade, research into robust and adaptable biocatalysts will then be necessary as reactors shape into larger and more efficient configurations, as well as presenting more extreme temperature, salinity, and pressure conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovic Jourdin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands.
| | - Thomas Burdyny
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
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Dessì P, Rovira-Alsina L, Sánchez C, Dinesh GK, Tong W, Chatterjee P, Tedesco M, Farràs P, Hamelers HMV, Puig S. Microbial electrosynthesis: Towards sustainable biorefineries for production of green chemicals from CO 2 emissions. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 46:107675. [PMID: 33276075 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Decarbonisation of the economy has become a priority at the global level, and the resulting legislative pressure is pushing the chemical and energy industries away from fossil fuels. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) has emerged as a promising technology to promote this transition, which will further benefit from the decreasing cost of renewable energy. However, several technological challenges need to be addressed before the MES technology can reach its maturity. The aim of this review is to critically discuss the bottlenecks hampering the industrial adoption of MES, considering the whole production process (from the CO2 source to the marketable products), and indicate future directions. A flexible stack design, with flat or tubular MES modules and direct CO2 supply, is required for site-specific decentralised applications. The experience gained for scaling-up electrochemical cells (e.g. electrolysers) can serve as a guideline for realising pilot MES stacks to be technologically and economically evaluated in industrially relevant conditions. Maximising CO2 abatement rate by targeting high-rate production of acetate can promote adoption of MES technology in the short term. However, the development of a replicable and robust strategy for production and in-line extraction of higher-value products (e.g. caproic acid and hexanol) at the cathode, and meaningful exploitation of the currently overlooked anodic reactions, can further boost MES cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the use of energy storage and smart electronics can alleviate the fluctuations of renewable energy supply. Despite the unresolved challenges, the flexible MES technology can be applied to decarbonise flue gas from different sources, to upgrade industrial and wastewater treatment plants, and to produce a wide array of green and sustainable chemicals. The combination of these benefits can support the industrial adoption of MES over competing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Dessì
- School of Chemistry and Energy Research Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland.
| | - Laura Rovira-Alsina
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona. Campus Montilivi, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Carlos Sánchez
- Microbiology Department, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland
| | - G Kumaravel Dinesh
- School of Chemistry and Energy Research Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Wenming Tong
- School of Chemistry and Energy Research Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Pritha Chatterjee
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Michele Tedesco
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911, MA, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Pau Farràs
- School of Chemistry and Energy Research Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Hubertus M V Hamelers
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911, MA, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona. Campus Montilivi, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, E-17003, Girona, Spain
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Dessì P, Sánchez C, Mills S, Cocco FG, Isipato M, Ijaz UZ, Collins G, Lens PNL. Carboxylic acids production and electrosynthetic microbial community evolution under different CO 2 feeding regimens. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 137:107686. [PMID: 33142136 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a potential technology for CO2 recycling, but insufficient information is available on the microbial interactions underpinning electrochemically-assisted reactions. In this study, a MES reactor was operated for 225 days alternately with bicarbonate or CO2 as carbon source, under batch or continuous feeding regimens, to evaluate the response of the microbial communities, and their productivity, to dynamic operating conditions. A stable acetic acid production rate of 9.68 g m-2 d-1, and coulombic efficiency up to 40%, was achieved with continuous CO2 sparging, higher than the rates obtained with bicarbonate (0.94 g m-2 d-1) and CO2 under fed-batch conditions (2.54 g m-2 d-1). However, the highest butyric acid production rate (0.39 g m-2 d-1) was achieved with intermittent CO2 sparging. The microbial community analyses focused on differential amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), allowing detection of ASVs significantly different across consecutive samples. This analysis, combined with co-occurence network analysis, and cyclic voltammetry, indicated that hydrogen-mediated acetogenesis was carried out by Clostridium, Eubacterium and Acetobacterium, whereas Oscillibacter and Caproiciproducens were involved in butyric acid production. The cathodic community was spatially inhomogeneous, with potential electrotrophs, such as Sulfurospirillum and Desulfovibrio, most prevalent near the current collector. The abundance of Sulfurospirillum positively correlated with that of Acetobacterium, supporting the syntrophic metabolism of both organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Dessì
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland.
| | - Carlos Sánchez
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Simon Mills
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Francesco Giuseppe Cocco
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Piazza d'Armi, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Isipato
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Piazza d'Armi, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Umer Z Ijaz
- Infrastructure and Environment Research Division, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow G12 8LT, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Collins
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Piet N L Lens
- Microbiology, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
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Review—Microbial Electrosynthesis: A Way Towards The Production of Electro-Commodities Through Carbon Sequestration with Microbes as Biocatalysts. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY 2020. [DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/abb836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Mohanakrishna G, Abu Reesh IM, Vanbroekhoven K, Pant D. Microbial electrosynthesis feasibility evaluation at high bicarbonate concentrations with enriched homoacetogenic biocathode. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 715:137003. [PMID: 32023516 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
An enrichment methodology was developed for a homoacetogenic biocathode that is able to function at high concentrations of bicarbonates for the microbial electrosynthesis (MES) of acetate from carbon dioxide. The study was performed in two stages; enrichment of consortia in serum bottles and the development of a biocathode in MES. A homoacetogenic consortium was sequentially grown under increasing concentrations of bicarbonate, in serum bottles, at room temperature. The acetate production rate was found to increase with the increase in the bicarbonate concentration and evidenced a maximum production rate of 260 mg/L d-1 (15 g HCO3-/L). On the contrary, carbon conversion efficiency decreased with the increase in the bicarbonate concentration, which evidenced a maximum at 2.5 g HCO3-/L (90.16%). Following a further increase in the bicarbonate concentration up to 20 g HCO3-/L, a visible inhibition was registered with respect to the acetate production rate and the carbon conversion efficiency. Well adapted biomass from 15 g HCO3-/L was used to develop biocathodic catalyst for MES. An effective biocathode was developed after 4 cycles of operation, during which acetate production was improved gradually, evidencing a maximum production rate of 24.53 mg acetate L-1 d-1 (carbon conversion efficiency, 47.72%). Compared to the enrichment stage, the carbon conversion efficiency and the rate of acetate production in MES were found to be low. The production of acetate induced a change in the catholyte pH, from neutral conditions towards acidic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunda Mohanakrishna
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar; Separation & Conversion Technologies, VITO - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Ibrahim M Abu Reesh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Karolien Vanbroekhoven
- Separation & Conversion Technologies, VITO - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Deepak Pant
- Separation & Conversion Technologies, VITO - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Bian B, Bajracharya S, Xu J, Pant D, Saikaly PE. Microbial electrosynthesis from CO 2: Challenges, opportunities and perspectives in the context of circular bioeconomy. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 302:122863. [PMID: 32019708 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Recycling CO2 into organic products through microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is attractive from the perspective of circular bioeconomy. However, several challenges need to be addressed before scaling-up MES systems. In this review, recent advances in electrode materials, microbe-catalyzed CO2 reduction and MES energy consumption are discussed in detail. Anode materials are briefly reviewed first, with several strategies proposed to reduce the energy input for electron generation and enhance MES bioeconomy. This was followed by discussions on MES cathode materials and configurations for enhanced chemolithoautotroph growth and CO2 reduction. Various chemolithoautotrophs, effective for CO2 reduction and diverse bioproduct formation, on MES cathode were also discussed. Finally, research efforts on developing cost-effective process for bioproduct extraction from MES are presented. Future perspectives to improve product formation and reduce energy cost are discussed to realize the application of the MES as a chemical production platform in the context of building a circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Bian
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955 6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suman Bajracharya
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955 6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jiajie Xu
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955 6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Deepak Pant
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Separation and Conversion Technology, Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium; Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, Thuwal 23955 6900, Saudi Arabia.
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Microbial electrosynthesis from CO2: forever a promise? Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 62:48-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Song X, Huang L, Lu H, Zhou P, Wang M, Li N. An external magnetic field for efficient acetate production from inorganic carbon in Serratia marcescens catalyzed cathode of microbial electrosynthesis system. Biochem Eng J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2019.107467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Hou J, Huang L, Zhou P, Qian Y, Li N. Understanding the interdependence of strain of electrotroph, cathode potential and initial Cu(II) concentration for simultaneous Cu(II) removal and acetate production in microbial electrosynthesis systems. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 243:125317. [PMID: 31722262 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metallurgical microbial electrosynthesis systems (MES) are holding great promise for simultaneous heavy metal removal and acetate production from heavy metal-contaminated and organics-barren waters. How critical parameters of strain of electrotroph, cathode potential and initial heavy metal concentration affect MES performance, however, is not yet fully understood. Heavy metal of Cu(II) and four Cu(II)-tolerant electrotrophs (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia JY1, Citrobacter sp. JY3, Pseudomonas aeruginosa JY5 and Stenotrophomonas sp. JY6) were employed to evaluate MES performance at various cathode potentials (-900 or -600 mV vs. standard hydrogen electrode) and initial Cu(II) concentrations (60-120 mg L-1). Each electrotrophs exhibited incremental Cu(II) removals with increased Cu(II) at -900 mV, higher than at -600 mV or in the abiotic controls. Acetate production by JY1 and JY6 decreased with the increase in initial Cu(II), compared to an initial increase and a decrease thereafter for JY3 and JY5. For each electrotrophs, the biofilms than the planktonic cells released more amounts of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) with a compositional diversity and stronger Cu(II) complexation at -900 mV. These were higher than at -600 mV, or in the controls either under open circuit conditions or in the absence of Cu(II). This work demonstrates the interdependence of strain of electrotroph, cathode potential and initial Cu(II) on simultaneous Cu(II) removal and acetate production through the release of different amounts of EPS with diverse composites, contributing to enhancing the controlled MES for efficient recovery of value-added products from Cu(II)-contaminated and organics-barren waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Hou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Liping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
| | - Peng Zhou
- College of Chemistry, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Yitong Qian
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education (MOE), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Ning Li
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China
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Flexer V, Jourdin L. Purposely Designed Hierarchical Porous Electrodes for High Rate Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate from Carbon Dioxide. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:311-321. [PMID: 31990521 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.9b00523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Carbon-based products are crucial to our society, but their production from fossil-based carbon is unsustainable. Production pathways based on the reuse of CO2 will achieve ultimate sustainability. Furthermore, the costs of renewable electricity production are decreasing at such a high rate, that electricity is expected to be the main energy carrier from 2040 onward. Electricity-driven novel processes that convert CO2 into chemicals need to be further developed. Microbial electrosynthesis is a biocathode-driven process in which electroactive microorganisms derive electrons from solid-state electrodes to catalyze the reduction of CO2 or organics and generate valuable extracellular multicarbon reduced products. Microorganisms can be tuned to high-rate and selective product formation. Optimization and upscaling of microbial electrosynthesis to practical, real life applications is dependent upon performance improvement while maintaining low cost. Extensive biofilm development, enhanced electron transfer rate from solid-state electrodes to microorganisms and increased chemical production rate require optimized microbial consortia, efficient reactor designs, and improved cathode materials. This Account is about the development of different electrode materials purposely designed for improved microbial electrosynthesis: NanoWeb-RVC and EPD-3D. Both types of electrodes are biocompatible, highly conductive three-dimensional hierarchical porous structures. Both chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and electrophoretic deposition were used to grow homogeneous and uniform carbon nanotube layers on the honeycomb structure of reticulated vitreous carbon. The high surface area to volume ratio of these electrodes maximizes the available surface area for biofilm development, i.e., enabling an increased catalyst loading. Simultaneously, the nanostructure makes it possible for a continuous electroactive biofilm to be formed, with increased electron transfer rate and high Coulombic efficiencies. Fully autotrophic biofilms from mixed cultures developed on both types of electrodes rely on CO2 as the sole carbon source and the solid-state electrode as the unique energy supply. We present first the synthesis and characteristics of the bare electrodes. We then report the outstanding performance indicators of these novel biocathodes: current densities up to -200 A m-2 and acetate production rates up to 1330 g m-2 day-1, with electron and CO2 recoveries into acetate being very close to 100% for mature biofilms. The performance indicators are still among the highest reported by either purposely designed or commercially available biocathodes. Finally, we made use of the titration and off-gas analysis sensor (TOGA) to elucidate the electron transfer mechanism in these efficient biocathodes. Planktonic cells in the catholyte were found irrelevant for acetate production. We identified the electron transfer to be mediated by biologically induced H2. H2 is not detected in the headspace of the reactors, unless CO2 feeding is interrupted or the cathodes sterilized. Thus, the biofilm is extremely efficient in consuming the generated H2. Finally, we successfully demonstrated the use of a synthetic biogas mixture as a CO2 source. We thus proved the potential of microbial electrosynthesis for the simultaneous upgrading of biogas, while fixating CO2 via the production of acetate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Flexer
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Materiales Avanzados y Almacenamiento de Energía de Jujuy-CIDMEJu (CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Jujuy), Av. Martijena S/N, Palpalá 4612, Argentina
| | - Ludovic Jourdin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629 HZ Delft, The Netherlands
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Annie Modestra J, Venkata Mohan S. Capacitive biocathodes driving electrotrophy towards enhanced CO 2 reduction for microbial electrosynthesis of fatty acids. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 294:122181. [PMID: 31610485 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electron transfer towards biocathode is a rate limiting step for CO2 reduction during microbial electrosynthesis (MES). Current study is designed to offer an understanding on electrotrophy using four different electrode materials viz., carbon cloth (CC), stainless-steel mesh (SS), combination of both (CC-SS) and a hybrid material (CC-SS-AC with activated carbon (AC)) as capacitive biocathodes for MES. Non turn-over and turn-over electrochemical investigations revealed electrode properties in terms of electron transfer, capacitance and redox catalytic currents relatively higher with CC-SS-AC and CC-SS. Acetic acid production was higher in CC-SS-AC (4.31 g/l) than CC-SS (4.21 g/l), CC (3.5 g/l) and SS (2.83 g/l) along with noticeable ethanol production with all the biocathodes except SS. Interestingly, long-term operation of all biocathodes witnessed reduction in resistance visualized through Nyquist impedance spectra relatively efficient with CC-SS-AC. Biocompatible property of CC-SS-AC with increased surface area was presumed to be a critical factor for enhancing electrotrophy linked with capacitive nature of biocathode towards enhanced bioelectrochemical CO2 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Annie Modestra
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500 007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) Campus, Hyderabad, India
| | - S Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500 007, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) Campus, Hyderabad, India.
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Strategies for improving the electroactivity and specific metabolic functionality of microorganisms for various microbial electrochemical technologies. Biotechnol Adv 2019; 39:107468. [PMID: 31707076 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2019.107468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Electroactive microorganisms, which possess extracellular electron transfer (EET) capabilities, are the basis of microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) such as microbial fuel and electrolysis cells. These are considered for several applications ranging from the energy-efficient treatment of waste streams to the production of value-added chemicals and fuels, bioremediation, and biosensing. Various aspects related to the microorganisms, electrodes, separators, reactor design, and operational or process parameters influence the overall functioning of METs. The most fundamental and critical performance-determining factor is, however, the microorganism-electrode interactions. Modification of the electrode surfaces and microorganisms for optimizing their interactions has therefore been the major MET research focus area over the last decade. In the case of microorganisms, primarily their EET mechanisms and efficiencies along with the biofilm formation capabilities, collectively considered as microbial electroactivity, affect their interactions with the electrodes. In addition to electroactivity, the specific metabolic or biochemical functionality of microorganisms is equally crucial to the target MET application. In this article, we present the major strategies that are used to enhance the electroactivity and specific functionality of microorganisms pertaining to both anodic and cathodic processes of METs. These include simple physical methods based on the use of heat and magnetic field along with chemical, electrochemical, and growth media amendment approaches to the complex procedure-based microbial bioaugmentation, co-culture, and cell immobilization or entrapment, and advanced toolkit-based biofilm engineering, genetic modifications, and synthetic biology strategies. We further discuss the applicability and limitations of these strategies and possible future research directions for advancing the highly promising microbial electrochemistry-driven biotechnology.
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Jourdin L, Winkelhorst M, Rawls B, Buisman CJ, Strik DP. Enhanced selectivity to butyrate and caproate above acetate in continuous bioelectrochemical chain elongation from CO2: Steering with CO2 loading rate and hydraulic retention time. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2019.100284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Tefft NM, TerAvest MA. Reversing an Extracellular Electron Transfer Pathway for Electrode-Driven Acetoin Reduction. ACS Synth Biol 2019; 8:1590-1600. [PMID: 31243980 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis is an emerging technology with the potential to simultaneously store renewably generated energy, fix carbon dioxide, and produce high-value organic compounds. However, limited understanding of the route of electrons into the cell remains an obstacle to developing a robust microbial electrosynthesis platform. To address this challenge, we leveraged the native extracellular electron transfer pathway in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 to connect an extracellular electrode with an intracellular reduction reaction. The system uses native Mtr proteins to transfer electrons from an electrode to the inner membrane quinone pool. Subsequently, electrons are transferred from quinones to NAD+ by native NADH dehydrogenases. This reverse functioning of NADH dehydrogenases is thermodynamically unfavorable; therefore, we added a light-driven proton pump (proteorhodopsin) to generate proton-motive force to drive this activity. Finally, we use reduction of acetoin to 2,3-butanediol via a heterologous butanediol dehydrogenase (Bdh) as an electron sink. Bdh is an NADH-dependent enzyme; therefore, observation of acetoin reduction supports our hypothesis that cathodic electrons are transferred to intracellular NAD+. Multiple lines of evidence indicate proper functioning of the engineered electrosynthesis system: electron flux from the cathode is influenced by both light and acetoin availability, and 2,3-butanediol production is highest when both light and a poised electrode are present. Using a hydrogenase-deficient S. oneidensis background strain resulted in a stronger correlation between electron transfer and 2,3-butanediol production, suggesting that hydrogen production is an off-target electron sink in the wild-type background. This system represents a promising step toward a genetically engineered microbial electrosynthesis platform and will enable a new focus on synthesis of specific compounds using electrical energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M. Tefft
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Michaela A. TerAvest
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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Zhou M, Yan B, Lang Q, Zhang Y. Elevated volatile fatty acids production through reuse of acidogenic off-gases during electro-fermentation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 668:295-302. [PMID: 30852206 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Electro-fermentation is gaining attention for its advantage in promoting product recovery and valorization of organic wastes. However, emission of by-product gases during acidogenic fermentation is one of the key reasons for reduced product recovery whereas high gas pressure in the acidogenic headspace could pose an inhibitory effect on the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). This study presents a novel electro-fermentation (EF) system for enhancing VFAs production by in situ reuse of anodic off-gases (mainly CO2 and H2) in the cathode. A total VFAs production of 0.57 g-VFAs/g-VS was achieved through reuse of acidogenic off-gases in EF system, corresponding to 48.70% increase in comparison with the treatment without off-gases reuse. Consequently, the conversion efficiency of carbon to VFAs was improved significantly by 13.92%. Acidogenic metabolic pathway in the anode shifted to mixed -acid fermentation with the succession of dominant microbes from genus of Escherichia in the seeding inocula to Bacteroides and Desulfovibrio in the anode and cathode chambers, respectively. This would provide a way to enhance VFAs recovery from organic wastes, which also contributes to reduced carbon footprint and increased environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Zhou
- Lab of Waste Valorization and Water Reuse, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China; State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Pollution Control, Beijing 102206, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Binghua Yan
- Lab of Waste Valorization and Water Reuse, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China.
| | - Qiaolin Lang
- Lab of Waste Valorization and Water Reuse, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Lab of Waste Valorization and Water Reuse, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266101, China
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Molenaar SD, Elzinga M, Willemse SG, Sleutels T, ter Heijne A, Buisman CJN. Comparison of Two Sustainable Counter Electrodes for Energy Storage in the Microbial Rechargeable Battery. ChemElectroChem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201900470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sam D. Molenaar
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental TechnologyWageningen University Bornse Weilanden 9 6708 WG Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Margo Elzinga
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
| | - Sonja G. Willemse
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
| | - Tom Sleutels
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek ter Heijne
- Department of Environmental TechnologyWageningen University Bornse Weilanden 9 6708 WG Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Cees J. N. Buisman
- WetsusEuropean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology Oostergoweg 9 8911 MA Leeuwarden The Netherlands
- Department of Environmental TechnologyWageningen University Bornse Weilanden 9 6708 WG Wageningen The Netherlands
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Bajracharya S, Vanbroekhoven K, Buisman CJN, Strik DPBTB, Pant D. Bioelectrochemical conversion of CO 2 to chemicals: CO 2 as a next generation feedstock for electricity-driven bioproduction in batch and continuous modes. Faraday Discuss 2019; 202:433-449. [PMID: 28657636 DOI: 10.1039/c7fd00050b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The recent concept of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) has evolved as an electricity-driven production technology for chemicals from low-value carbon dioxide (CO2) using micro-organisms as biocatalysts. MES from CO2 comprises bioelectrochemical reduction of CO2 to multi-carbon organic compounds using the reducing equivalents produced at the electrically-polarized cathode. The use of CO2 as a feedstock for chemicals is gaining much attention, since CO2 is abundantly available and its use is independent of the food supply chain. MES based on CO2 reduction produces acetate as a primary product. In order to elucidate the performance of the bioelectrochemical CO2 reduction process using different operation modes (batch vs. continuous), an investigation was carried out using a MES system with a flow-through biocathode supplied with 20 : 80 (v/v) or 80 : 20 (v/v) CO2 : N2 gas. The highest acetate production rate of 149 mg L-1 d-1 was observed with a 3.1 V applied cell-voltage under batch mode. While running in continuous mode, high acetate production was achieved with a maximum rate of 100 mg L-1 d-1. In the continuous mode, the acetate production was not sustained over long-term operation, likely due to insufficient microbial biocatalyst retention within the biocathode compartment (i.e. suspended micro-organisms were washed out of the system). Restarting batch mode operations resulted in a renewed production of acetate. This showed an apparent domination of suspended biocatalysts over the attached (biofilm forming) biocatalysts. Long term CO2 reduction at the biocathode resulted in the accumulation of acetate, and more reduced compounds like ethanol and butyrate were also formed. Improvements in the production rate and different biomass retention strategies (e.g. selecting for biofilm forming micro-organisms) should be investigated to enable continuous biochemical production from CO2 using MES. Certainly, other process optimizations will be required to establish MES as an innovative sustainable technology for manufacturing biochemicals from CO2 as a next generation feedstock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Bajracharya
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium.
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On-Line Raman Spectroscopic Study of Cytochromes' Redox State of Biofilms in Microbial Fuel Cells. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24030646. [PMID: 30759821 PMCID: PMC6384720 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24030646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bio-electrochemical systems such as microbial fuel cells and microbial electrosynthesis cells depend on efficient electron transfer between the microorganisms and the electrodes. Understanding the mechanisms and dynamics of the electron transfer is important in order to design more efficient reactors, as well as modifying microorganisms for enhanced electricity production. Geobacter are well known for their ability to form thick biofilms and transfer electrons to the surfaces of electrodes. Currently, there are not many “on-line” systems for monitoring the activity of the biofilm and the electron transfer process without harming the biofilm. Raman microscopy was shown to be capable of providing biochemical information, i.e., the redox state of C-type cytochromes, which is integral to external electron transfer, without harming the biofilm. In the current study, a custom 3D printed flow-through cuvette was used in order to analyze the oxidation state of the C-type cytochromes of suspended cultures of three Geobacter sulfurreducens strains (PCA, KN400 and ΔpilA). It was found that the oxidation state is a good indicator of the metabolic state of the cells. Furthermore, an anaerobic fluidic system enabling in situ Raman measurements was designed and applied successfully to monitor and characterize G. sulfurreducens biofilms during electricity generation, for both a wild strain, PCA, and a mutant, ΔS. The cytochrome redox state, monitored by the Raman peak areas, could be modulated by applying different poise voltages to the electrodes. This also correlated with the modulation of current transferred from the cytochromes to the electrode. The Raman peak area changed in a predictable and reversible manner, indicating that the system could be used for analyzing the oxidation state of the proteins responsible for the electron transfer process and the kinetics thereof in-situ.
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Jiang Y, May HD, Lu L, Liang P, Huang X, Ren ZJ. Carbon dioxide and organic waste valorization by microbial electrosynthesis and electro-fermentation. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 149:42-55. [PMID: 30419466 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.10.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Carbon-rich waste materials (solid, liquid, or gaseous) are largely considered to be a burden on society due to the large capital and energy costs for their treatment and disposal. However, solid and liquid organic wastes have inherent energy and value, and similar as waste CO2 gas they can be reused to produce value-added chemicals and materials. There has been a paradigm shift towards developing a closed loop, biorefinery approach for the valorization of these wastes into value-added products, and such an approach enables a more carbon-efficient and circular economy. This review quantitatively analyzes the state-of-the-art of the emerging microbial electrochemical technology (MET) platform and provides critical perspectives on research advancement and technology development. The review offers side-by-side comparison between microbial electrosynthesis (MES) and electro-fermentation (EF) processes in terms of principles, key performance metrics, data analysis, and microorganisms. The study also summarizes all the processes and products that have been developed using MES and EF to date for organic waste and CO2 valorization. It finally identifies the technological and economic potentials and challenges on future system development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jiang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China; Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China
| | - Harold D May
- Hollings Marine Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Lu Lu
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China.
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Zhiyong Jason Ren
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA.
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Jiang Y, Jianxiong Zeng R. Expanding the product spectrum of value added chemicals in microbial electrosynthesis through integrated process design-A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 269:503-512. [PMID: 30174268 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.08.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a novel microbial electrochemical technology proposed for chemicals production with the storage of sustainable energy. However, the practical application of MES is currently restricted by the limited low market value of products in one-step conversion process, mostly acetate. A theme that is pervasive throughout this review is the challenges associated with the expanded product spectrum. Several recent research efforts to improve acetate production, using novel reactor configuration, renewable power supply, and various 3-D cathode are summarized. The importance of genetic modification, two-step hybrid process, as well as input substrates other than CO2 are highlighted in this review as the future research paths for higher value chemicals production. At last, how to integrate MES with existing biochemicals processes is proposed. Definitely, more studies are encouraged to evaluate the overall performances and economic efficiency of these integrated process designs to make MES more competitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jiang
- Center of Wastewater Resource Recovery, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Raymond Jianxiong Zeng
- Center of Wastewater Resource Recovery, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China.
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