Microbial electrosynthesis technology for CO2 mitigation, biomethane production, and ex-situ biogas upgrading

Currently, global annual CO2 emissions from fossil fuel consumption are extremely high, surpassing tens of billions of tons, yet our capacity to capture and utilize CO2 remains below a small fraction of the amount generated. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) systems, an integration of microbial metabolism with electrochemistry, have emerged as a highly efficient and promising bio-based carbon-capture-and-utilization technology over other conventional techniques. MES is a unique technology for lowering the atmospheric CO2 as well as CO2 in the biogas, and also simultaneously convert them to renewable bioenergy, such as biomethane. As such, MES techniques could be applied for biogas upgrading to generate high purity biomethane, which has the potential to meet natural gas standards. This article offers a detailed overview and assessment of the latest advancements in MES for biomethane production and biogas upgrading, in terms of selecting optimal methane production pathways and associated electron transfer processes, different electrode materials and types, inoculum sources and microbial communities, ion-exchange membrane, externally applied energy level, operating temperature and pH, mode of operation, CO2 delivery method, selection of inorganic carbon source and its concentration, start-up time, and system pressure. It also highlights the current MES challenges associated with upscaling, design and configuration, long-term stability, energy demand, techno-economics, achieving net negative carbon emission, and other operational issues. Moreover, we provide a summary of current and future opportunities to integrate MES with other unique biosystems, such as methanotrophic bioreactors, and incorporate quorum sensing, 3D printing, and machine learning to further develop MES as a better biomethane-producer and biogas upgrading technique.

Biohythane production via anaerobic digestion process: fundamentals, scale-up challenges, and techno-economic and environmental aspects

Biohythane, a balanced mixture comprising bioH2 (biohydrogen) and bioCH4 (biomethane) produced through anaerobic digestion, is gaining recognition as a promising energy source for the future. This article provides a comprehensive overview of biohythane production, covering production mechanisms, microbial diversity, and process parameters. It also explores different feedstock options, bioreactor designs, and scalability challenges, along with techno-economic and environmental assessments. Additionally, the article discusses the integration of biohythane into waste management systems and examines future prospects for enhancing production efficiency and applicability. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and policymakers interested in advancing biohythane production as a sustainable and renewable energy solution.

Critical factors influence on acidogenesis towards volatile fatty acid, biohydrogen and methane production from the molasses-spent wash

The study explored the spent wash valorisation into value added biobased products viz. volatile fatty acids (VFAs), biohydrogen (bio-H₂), methane (CH₄) and biohythane (bio-H-CNG) based on eight selected parameters employing design of experiment (DOE) approach. Selectively enriched biocatalyst showed marked influence on the production of acidogenic products (bio-H₂ and VFA) while untreated inoculum resulted in higher CH₄ and bio-H-CNG generation. CaCO₃ showed potential for butyric acid (H_Bu) production while Na₂CO₃ specifically yielded higher acetic acid (H_Ac) when supplemented as buffering agents. Higher degree of acidification (DOA; 49.8%) was observed at lower organic load (OL; 30 g/L). Biogas production and profile was influenced by OL, enrichment of biocatalyst and supplemented buffering agent. Higher OL related to higher bioproduct production, while yields of the respective products were higher at lower OL.

Effect of fermentation of chosen vegetables on the nutrient, mineral, and biocomponent profile in human and animal nutrition

In the present study, the dry matter, crude ash, crude protein, ether extract, and energy, macro- (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P), micro- (Zn, Cu, Fe) minerals, heavy metals (Pb, Cd), vitamin C, A, carotene, and phenolic content were determined in chosen raw and fermented vegetables. The dietary intake of several macro- and microconstituents per one serving (100 g or humans and animals: ducks and pigs) was calculated. The fermentation process was found to reduce water and increase fat content in the vegetables. Lower levels of vitamin C and phenols were also found in the fermented vegetables. The vitamin A and carotene content in the fermented carrots and peppers were increased in comparison with the raw vegetables. The fermentation process decreased the concentration of some basic nutrients, mineral content, vitamins C and A, and phenols. Broccoli, peppers, and red beet had the highest levels of the analyzed nutrients and bioconstituents. The fermentation process is regarded by nutritionists as beneficial to human health. The addition of fermented plants is recommended in animal nutrition as well. This process modifies the chemical composition of preserved vegetables, e.g. it reduces the concentration of dietary fiber, and brings favorable effects in poultry and pig nutrition.

A review on biological recycling in agricultural waste-based biohydrogen production: Recent developments

Hydrogen has become a research highlight by virtue of its clean energy production technology and high energy content. The technology of biohydrogen production from biological waste via fermentation has lower costs, provides environment-friendly methods regarding energy balance, and creates a pathway for sustainable utilization of massive agricultural waste. However, biohydrogen production is generally limited by lower productivity. Many studies have been conducted aimed at improving biohydrogen production efficiency. Hence, this review is intended to describe improving routes for biohydrogen production from agricultural waste and highlights recent advances in these approaches. In addition, the critical factors affecting biohydrogen production, including the pretreatment method, substrate resource, fermentation conditions, and bioreactor design, were also comprehensively discussed along with challenges and future prospects.

Sustainable additives for the regulation of NH3 concentration and emissions during the production of biomethane and biohydrogen: A review

This study reviews the recent advances and innovations in the application of additives to improve biomethane and biohydrogen production. Biochar, nanostructured materials, novel biopolymers, zeolites, and clays are described in terms of chemical composition, properties and impact on anaerobic digestion, dark fermentation, and photofermentation. These additives can have both a simple physical effect of microbial adhesion and growth, and a more complex biochemical impact on the regulation of key parameters for CH₄ and H₂ production: in this study, these effects in different experimental conditions are reviewed and described. The considered parameters include pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), C:N ratio, and NH₃; additionally, the global impact on the total production yield of biogas and bioH₂ is reviewed. A special focus is given to NH₃, due to its strong inhibition effect towards methanogens, and its contribution to digestate quality, leaching, and emissions into the atmosphere.

Effect of zinc ion on photo-fermentative hydrogen production performance, kinetics and electronic distribution in biohydrogen production by HAU-M1

The aim of this work was to study the characteristics, kinetics and electronic distribution of photo-fermentation hydrogen production (PFHP) with Zn²⁺ addition then gave the main results that the addition of Zn²⁺ can effectively improve hydrogen production with an increasing of 1-5 mg/L Zn²⁺ concentration. The maximum hydrogen yield of 592 ± 13 mL and shortest lag time of 4.67 h were obtained at 2 mg/L Zn²⁺. 26.42% of the substrate energy was diverted to H₂. Modified Gompertz and Hane-Levenspiel models were applied to evaluate the effect of Zn²⁺ on PFHP by mixed bacteria HAU-M1, the constants n and m obtained by fitting models were 14.97 and 58.79, respectively, indicating the fermentation system was noncompetitive inhibition, the predicted critical Zn²⁺ concentration was 40.83 mg/L.

Mechanisms of enhanced hydrogen production from sewage sludge by ferrous ion: Insights into functional genes and metabolic pathways

Hydrogen production from sewage sludge was studied in the presence of Fe²⁺. The results showed that the highest cumulative hydrogen production of 26 mL/100 mL was achieved with 600 mg/L Fe²⁺ supplementation, which was 2 times of the control test. In depth analysis of organics in liquid phase revealed that Fe²⁺ addition promoted sludge disintegration and protein degradation during fermentation process. Functions prediction by PICRUSt analysis indicated the effect of Fe²⁺ on microbial metabolism and functional genes expression. The results showed that the expression of hydrogen-producing functions, like ferredoxin hydrogenase and formate dehydrogenase was activated by Fe²⁺ supplementation, while the hydrogen-consuming metabolism, like methane metabolism and homoacetogenic metabolism was inhibited. Furthermore, Fe²⁺ addition could stimulate organics utilization. This study explored the effect of Fe²⁺ on functional genes abundance, revealing the mechanisms of enhanced hydrogen production by Fe²⁺ from the perspective of microbial metabolism.

Microbial Production of Hydrogen by Mixed Culture Technologies: A Review

With its high energy content and clean combustion, hydrogen is recognized as a renewable clean energy source with enormous potential. Biological hydrogen production is a promising alternative with significant advantages over conventional petroleum-derived chemical processes. Sustainable hydrogen production from renewable resources such as cassava, wastewater, and other agricultural waste is economically feasible for industrial applications. So far, the major bottlenecks in large-scale biological hydrogen production are the low production rate and yield. This review discusses the various factors that affect the metabolic pathways of dark hydrogen production, and highlights the state-of-the-art development of mixed culture technology. The aim of this review is to provide suggestions for the future directions of mixed culture technology, as well as by-product valorization in dark fermentation.

Improvement of Digestate Stability Using Dark Fermentation and Anaerobic Digestion Processes

This paper assessed the effect of dark fermentation, the fermentative phase in a two-stage anaerobic digestion system, in terms of digestate biostabilization efficiency. The digestates analyzed in this study were obtained from a pilot-scale system in which two different substrates were used in order to simulate both the digestion and co-digestion process. Biostabilization performances were evaluated by measuring the specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) of the outgoing digestates. This index allowed us to define the degree of effectiveness in terms of stabilization of organic matter, between the traditional anaerobic digestion process and the two-stage configuration. Considering the traditional process as a reference scenario, the results highlighted an increase in biological stability for the two-stage co-digestion process, consisting of a dark fermentation stage, followed by an anaerobic digestion one. Digestates biostabilization efficiency increased up from 6.5% to 40.6% from the traditional one-stage configuration to the two-stage one by improving the anaerobic digestion process through a preliminary fermentative stage. The advantages of the two-stage process were due to the role of dark fermentation as a biological pre-treatment. Considering the partial stability results related to the second stage, biological stability was improved in comparison to a single-stage process, reaching an efficiency of 42.2% and 55.8% for the digestion and co-digestion scenario respectively. The dark fermentation phase allowed for a higher hydrolysis of the substrate, making it more easily degradable in the second phase. Results demonstrated better biostabilization performances of the outgoing digestates with the introduction of dark fermentation, resulting in more stable digestates for both the digestion and co-digestion process.

Nutrients balance for hydrogen potential upgrading from fruit and vegetable peels via fermentation process

The sole, dual and multi-fermentations of fruit and vegetable peels (FVPs) were investigated in order to balance nutrition hierarchy for maximizing hydrogen potential via Batch experiments. The highest volumetric hydrogen production of 2.55 ± 0.07 L/L and hydrogen content of 64.7 ± 3.7% were registered for multi-fermentation of M-PTBO (25% pea +25% tomato + 25% banana +25% orange). These values outperformed sole and dual fermentation. The multi-fermentation of FVPs provided sufficient nutrients and trace elements for anaerobes, where C/N and C/P ratios were at levels of 24.7 ± 0.2 and 113.2 ± 9.4, respectively. In specific, harmonizing of macro and micro-nutrients remarkably maximized activities of amylase, protease and lipase to 4.23 ± 0.42, 0.035 ± 0.002 and 0.31 ± 0.02 U/mL, respectively, as well as, substantially incremented counts of Clostridium and Enterobacter sp. up to 5.81 ± 0.23 × 10⁵ and 2.17 ± 0.09 × 10⁶ cfu/mL, respectively. Furthermore, multi-fermentation of M-PTBO achieved the maximum net energy gain and profit of 1.82 kJ/g_feedstock and 4.11 $/kg_feedstock, respectively. Nutrients balance significantly develops bacterial activity in terms of hydrogen productivity, anaerobes reproduction, enzyme activities and soluble metabolites. As a result, overall fermentation bioprocess performance was improved.

A Review of the Enhancement of Bio-Hydrogen Generation by Chemicals Addition

Bio-hydrogen production (BHP) produced from renewable bio-resources is an attractive route for green energy production, due to its compelling advantages of relative high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and lower ecological impact. This study reviewed different BHP pathways, and the most important enzymes involved in these pathways, to identify technological gaps and effective approaches for process intensification in industrial applications. Among the various approaches reviewed in this study, a particular focus was set on the latest methods of chemicals/metal addition for improving hydrogen generation during dark fermentation (DF) processes; the up-to-date findings of different chemicals/metal addition methods have been quantitatively evaluated and thoroughly compared in this paper. A new efficiency evaluation criterion is also proposed, allowing different BHP processes to be compared with greater simplicity and validity.

Enhanced fermentative hydrogen production from industrial wastewater using mixed culture bacteria incorporated with iron, nickel, and zinc-based nanoparticles

The present study assessed the efficiency of utilizing mixed culture bacteria (MCB) incorporated with individual nanoparticles (NPs), i.e., hematite (α-Fe₂O₃), nickel oxide (NiO), and zinc oxide (ZnO), dual NPs (α-Fe₂O₃ + NiO, α-Fe₂O₃ + ZnO, and NiO + ZnO), and multi-NPs (α-Fe₂O₃ + NiO + ZnO) for hydrogen production (HP) from industrial wastewater containing mono-ethylene glycol (MEG). When MCB was individually supplemented with α-Fe₂O₃ (200 mg/L), NiO (20 mg/L), and ZnO NPs (10 mg/L), HP improved significantly by 41, 30, and 29%, respectively. Further, key enzymes associated with MEG metabolism, such as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and hydrogenase (hyd), were rapidly and substantially enhanced in the medium. NiO and ZnO NPs notably promoted ADH and ALDH activities, respectively, while α-Fe₂O₃ exhibited superior impact on hyd activity. Maximum hydrogen production rate was concomitant with higher acetic acid production and lower residual acetaldehyde and ethanol. HP using MCB supplemented with individual NiO (20 mg/L) and ZnO NPs (10 mg/L) further improved by 8.0%-14% when dual and multi-NPs were used; the highest HP was recorded when multi-NPs were used. In addition, NPs incorporation resulted in substantial increase in the relative abundance of Clostridiales (belonging to family Clostridiaceae; > 83%). Overall, this study provides significant insights into the impact of NPs on hydrogen production from MEG-contaminated wastewater.

Biochemical Hydrogen Potential Tests Using Different Inocula

Four inocula collected from different operating facilities were tested in their hydrogenic performances by means of two biochemical hydrogen potential test set-ups using sucrose and food waste as substrates, with the aim of evaluating the influence of inoculum media in batch fermentative assays. The selected inocula were: activated sludge collected from the aerobic unit of a municipal wastewater treatment plant, digested sludge from an anaerobic reactor treating organic waste and cattle manure, digested sludge from an anaerobic reactor treating agroindustrial residues, and digested sludge from an anaerobic reactor of a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Test results, in terms of specific hydrogen production, hydrogen conversion efficiency, and volatile solids removal efficiency, were significantly dependent on the type of inoculum. Statistical analysis showed different results, indicating that findings were due to the different inocula used in the tests. In particular, assays performed with activated sludge showed the highest performances for both substrates and both experimental set-ups.

Spatial variation of electrode position in bioelectrochemical treatment system: Design consideration for azo dye remediation

In the present study, three bio-electrochemical treatment systems (BET) were designed with variations in cathode electrode placement [air exposed (BET1), partially submerged (BET2) and fully submerged (BET3)] to evaluate azo-dye based wastewater treatment at three dye loading concentrations (50, 250 and 500 mg L^-1). Highest dye decolorization (94.5 ± 0.4%) and COD removal (62.2 ± 0.8%) efficiencies were observed in BET3 (fully submerged electrodes) followed by BET1 and BET2, while bioelectrogenic activity was highest in BET1 followed by BET2 and BET3. It was observed that competition among electron acceptors (electrode, dye molecules and intermediates) critically regulated the fate of bio-electrogenesis to be higher in BET1 and dye removal higher in BET3. Maximum half-cell potentials in BET3 depict higher electron acceptance by electrodes utilized for dye degradation. Study infers that spatial positioning of electrodes in BET3 is more suitable towards dye remediation, which can be considered for scaling-up/designing a treatment plant for large-scale industrial applications.

Metabolic phasing of anoxic-PDBR for high rate treatment of azo dye wastewater

The treatment of azo dye wastewater was studied in a periodic discontinuous batch reactor (PDBR) at high loading condition (1250mg/l) under anoxic microenvironments. PDBR performance was evaluated by varying the time period of aerobic microenvironment during the cycle operation [before multiphasing (BMP; Control), 0.014; after multiphasing (AMP): AMPI, 0.84; AMPII, 0.73; AMPIII, 0.65]. Induction of air in anoxic-PDBR facilitated the simultaneous oxidation and reduction conditions and thus resulted higher dye removal efficiency with AMPIII strategy (65%) followed by AMPII (59.4%) and AMPI (54.4%) than the corresponding control operation (BMP: 49.4%). Relatively higher azo reductase enzyme activity was documented with AMP than corresponding BMP operation correlating well with azo dye decolorization. UV- UV-Significant transformational changes of azo dye peaks (618nm) were documented before and after multiphase operations. Cyclic voltammogram profiles depicted increment in redox catalytic currents during AMPIII operation and also supports the involvement of reducing equivalents towards the dye removal. Derivatives of voltammograms illustrated the involvement of various redox mediators viz., cytochrome-C, quinones, Fumarate/Succinate, Fe(CN)₆^3-/Fe(CN)₆^4-, and flavoproteins. Flexibility in phasing the multiple microenvironments in single bioreactor (PDBR) provides new insights in embodying the required capabilities to treat the recalcitrant azo dye wastewater especially at higher dye load operations.

Biohydrogen production: strategies to improve process efficiency through microbial routes

The current fossil fuel-based generation of energy has led to large-scale industrial development. However, the reliance on fossil fuels leads to the significant depletion of natural resources of buried combustible geologic deposits and to negative effects on the global climate with emissions of greenhouse gases. Accordingly, enormous efforts are directed to transition from fossil fuels to nonpolluting and renewable energy sources. One potential alternative is biohydrogen (H₂), a clean energy carrier with high-energy yields; upon the combustion of H₂, H₂O is the only major by-product. In recent decades, the attractive and renewable characteristics of H₂ led us to develop a variety of biological routes for the production of H₂. Based on the mode of H₂ generation, the biological routes for H₂ production are categorized into four groups: photobiological fermentation, anaerobic fermentation, enzymatic and microbial electrolysis, and a combination of these processes. Thus, this review primarily focuses on the evaluation of the biological routes for the production of H₂. In particular, we assess the efficiency and feasibility of these bioprocesses with respect to the factors that affect operations, and we delineate the limitations. Additionally, alternative options such as bioaugmentation, multiple process integration, and microbial electrolysis to improve process efficiency are discussed to address industrial-level applications.

Reductive behaviour of acid azo dye based wastewater: Biocatalyst activity in conjunction with enzymatic and bio-electro catalytic evaluation

Present study illustrates the significance of biocatalyst's reductive behaviour in the degradation of dye molecules using glucose as co-substrate. An anaerobic system was operated at a dye concentration of 50mg/l with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 1.36 kg COD/m(3)-day. Decolourization and COD removal efficiencies were observed to be 42% and 48% respectively. Azo reductase (18.9 U) and dehydrogenase enzyme (1.4 μg/ml) activities showed increment with operation time. Anaerobic microenvironment showed dye reduction converting them into aromatic amines. The presence of mediators viz., cytochromes, quinines and Fe-S proteins depicted in the cyclic voltammetry profiles played a crucial role in transfer of electrons for the reduction of dye molecules. Bio-electro kinetic profiles obtained through Tafel analysis showed persistent reduction behaviour, which is in good correlation with dye degradation in the anaerobic microenvironment.

Azo dye load-shock on relative behavior of biofilm and suspended growth configured periodic discontinuous batch mode operations: critical evaluation with enzymatic and bio-electrocatalytic analysis

Effect of dye (C.I.Acid Black 10B) load-shock was comparatively evaluated in biofilm (self-immobilized) and suspended growth systems operated in periodic discontinuous batch mode (PDBR, anoxic-aerobic-anoxic) was investigated. At higher dye load (1250 mg dye/l), biofilm system showed relatively higher dye (74.5%) and COD (46%) removal efficiencies than the corresponding suspended mode operation (dye/COD removal efficiency, 42%/65%). Increment in dye load showed increment in azo reductase and dehydrogenase enzyme activities. Voltammograms (cyclic) showed higher reduction currents (RC) with increment in dye load specifically in biofilm system. Derivative cyclic voltammograms analysis depicted the involvement of mediators (NAD (+), FAD(+), etc.) which presumably played a major role in electron transport chain and dye degradation. Disappearance of peak (1612 cm(-1)) specific to azo group in FTIR spectrum, at higher loading rate in both the systems indicates the non-inhibitory and robust nature of PDBR operation.

Induction of anoxic microenvironment in multi-phase metabolic shift strategy during periodic discontinuous batch mode operation enhances treatment of azo dye wastewater

Variation in anoxic microenvironment (multi-phase (MP) metabolic shift strategy) during cycle operation of periodic discontinuous batch/sequencing batch (PDBR/SBR) mode operation showed enhanced degradation of recalcitrant azo dye (C.I. Acid Black 10B) at higher dye load (1250mg/l). The process performance was evaluated by varying anoxic phasing period during cycle operation. Before multiphase (BMP) operation with 2.1% of anoxic period showed color/COD removal efficiency of 41.9%/46.3%. Increment in anoxic period responded favorable in enhancing treatment efficiency [AMPI (16.2%), 49.4%/52.4%; AMPII (26.6%), 54.7%/57.2%; AMPIII (34.9%), 58.4%/61.5%]. Relatively higher bio-electrochemical activity, persistent reductive behavior (redox catalytic currents, 0.26/-0.72μA), prevalence of redox shuttlers (Fe-S proteins, cytochromes, quinones) facilitating enhanced electron transfer by minimization of associated losses and higher enzyme activities were observed with induction of anoxic phase. Anoxic condition shifts system microenvironment between oxidation and reduction assisting reduction of dye to its intermediates followed by their mineralization.

Bio-electrocatalyzed electron efflux in Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria: an insight into disparity in electron transfer kinetics

Electron transfer (ET) behavior of bacteria varies significantly in a bio-electrocatalyzed environment based on the cell membrane.

Relative performance of biofilm configuration over suspended growth operation on azo dye based wastewater treatment in periodic discontinuous batch mode operation

Functional role of biofilm and suspended growth bioreactor configurations in response to the treatment of azo-dye (C.I. Acid Black 10B) bearing wastewater was evaluated in periodic discontinuous batch mode operation at varying dye concentrations. The biofilm system depicted higher dye removal efficiency (93.14%) compared to suspended mode (84.29%) at 350 mg dye/l operation. Both the reactor configurations did not show much process inhibition at higher dye loads studied. Azo reductase and dehydrogenase enzyme activities showed significant variation indicating the different metabolic capabilities of the native-microflora, stable proton shuttling between metabolic intermediates and differences in the delivery of reducing powers from the substrate metabolism towards dye removal. Voltammograms visualized marked variations in electron discharge properties with the function of reactor configuration, time intervals and dye load. Higher redox catalytic currents, lower Tafel slopes and polarization resistance showed good correlation with enzyme activities and dye removal.