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Pankratov D, Hidalgo Martinez S, Karman C, Gerzhik A, Gomila G, Trashin S, Boschker HTS, Geelhoed JS, Mayer D, De Wael K, J R Meysman F. The organo-metal-like nature of long-range conduction in cable bacteria. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 157:108675. [PMID: 38422765 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108675] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Cable bacteria are filamentous, multicellular microorganisms that display an exceptional form of biological electron transport across centimeter-scale distances. Currents are guided through a network of nickel-containing protein fibers within the cell envelope. Still, the mechanism of long-range conduction remains unresolved. Here, we characterize the conductance of the fiber network under dry and wet, physiologically relevant, conditions. Our data reveal that the fiber conductivity is high (median value: 27 S cm-1; range: 2 to 564 S cm-1), does not show any redox signature, has a low thermal activation energy (Ea = 69 ± 23 meV), and is not affected by humidity or the presence of ions. These features set the nickel-based conduction mechanism in cable bacteria apart from other known forms of biological electron transport. As such, conduction resembles that of an organic semi-metal with a high charge carrier density. Our observation that biochemistry can synthesize an organo-metal-like structure opens the way for novel bio-based electronic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii Pankratov
- Geobiology Group, Microbial Systems Technology Excellence Centre, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; A-Sense Lab, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Silvia Hidalgo Martinez
- Geobiology Group, Microbial Systems Technology Excellence Centre, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Cheryl Karman
- Geobiology Group, Microbial Systems Technology Excellence Centre, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; A-Sense Lab, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Anastasia Gerzhik
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Bioelectronics (IBI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Gabriel Gomila
- Nanoscale Bioelectric Characterization Group, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalunya (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri i Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franqués 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stanislav Trashin
- A-Sense Lab, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Henricus T S Boschker
- Geobiology Group, Microbial Systems Technology Excellence Centre, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Jeanine S Geelhoed
- Geobiology Group, Microbial Systems Technology Excellence Centre, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Dirk Mayer
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Bioelectronics (IBI-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Karolien De Wael
- A-Sense Lab, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Filip J R Meysman
- Geobiology Group, Microbial Systems Technology Excellence Centre, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Van der Maasweg 9, 2629HZ Delft, the Netherlands.
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2
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Liu X, Qi X, Gu Y, Huang X, Liang P. Titanium mesh as the anode of electrochemically active biofilm sensor for improved sensitivity in water toxicity real-time early-warning. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 241:115692. [PMID: 37734201 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2023.115692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
As serious water ecological pollution caused by toxicant leakage occurs frequently, early-warning for toxicity presented in water environment attracts increasing attentions as it saves time to retain water safety and human health. Electrochemically active biofilm (EAB) sensor is a promising device for in situ real-time water toxicity early-warning. To improve the sensitivity of EAB sensor particularly for low-concentration toxicity warning, this study employed titanium mesh (TiM) as the anode to construct an EAB sensor. Compared to traditional EAB sensor with carbon felt (CF) anode, the sensitivity of the TiM sensor was increased up to 37.4 times. The effects of mesh size (TiM50, TiM100, TiM150) and operation mode (flow-by and flow-through) on the sensitivity of TiM sensors were further investigated. Results showed the sensor with TiM100 anode had the highest inhibition rate (IR) in flow-by mode, attributed to low charge transfer resistance (Rct) and fast mass transfer. Flow-through operation could further enhance TiM100 sensor's sensitivity from flow-by operation and succeeded to signal as low as 0.0025% formaldehyde, the lowest so far tested in EAB sensor with sensing anode. Multiple toxicity shocks on flow-through TiM100 sensor revealed its good recoverability towards all tested formaldehyde concentration from 0.01% to 0.0025%, during which electrochemical activity degradation and biomass accumulation partially impaired the repeatability. This work highlights the great improvement of EAB sensors by utilizing titanium mesh as EAB carrier and provides a reference for the practical application of metallic materials for EAB sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinning Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Xiang Qi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China.
| | - Yuyi Gu
- 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
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China.
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3
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Gu Y, Qi X, Yang X, Jiang Y, Liu P, Quan X, Liang P. Extracellular electron transfer and the conductivity in microbial aggregates during biochemical wastewater treatment: A bottom-up analysis of existing knowledge. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 231:119630. [PMID: 36689883 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) plays a crucial role in bioenergy production and resource recovery from wastewater. Interdisciplinary efforts have been made to unveil EET processes at various spatial scales, from nanowires to microbial aggregates. Electrical conductivity has been frequently measured as an indicator of EET efficiency. In this review, the conductivity of nanowires, biofilms, and granular sludge was summarized, and factors including subjects, measurement methods, and conducting conditions that affect the conductivity difference were discussed in detail. The high conductivity of nanowires does not necessarily result in efficient EET in microbial aggregates due to the existence of non-conductive substances and contact resistance. Improving the conductivity measurement of microbial aggregates is important because it enables the calculation of an EET flux from conductivity and a comparison of the flux with mass transfer coefficients. This review provides new insight into the significance, characterization, and optimization of EET in microbial aggregates during a wastewater treatment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyi Gu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Xiang Qi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Xufei Yang
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007 USA
| | - Yong Jiang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, China
| | - Panpan Liu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| | - Xiangchun Quan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
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Lee HS, Xin W, Katakojwala R, Venkata Mohan S, Tabish NMD. Microbial electrolysis cells for the production of biohydrogen in dark fermentation - A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127934. [PMID: 36100184 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To assess biohydrogen for future green energy, this review revisited dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). Hydrogen evolution rate in mesophilic dark fermentation is as high as 192 m3 H2/m3-d, however hydrogen yield is limited. MECs are ideal for improving hydrogen yield from carboxylate accumulated from dark fermentation, whereas hydrogen production rate is too slow in MECs. Hence, improving anode kinetic is very important for realizing MEC biohydrogen. Intracellular electron transfer (IET) and extracellular electron transfer (EET) can limit current density in MECs, which is proportional to hydrogen evolution rate. EET does not limit current density once electrically conductive biofilms are formed on anodes, potentially producing 300 A/m2. Hence, IET kinetics mainly govern current density in MECs. Among parameters associated with IET kinetic, population of anode-respiring bacteria in anode biofilms, biofilm density of active microorganisms, biofilm thickness, and alkalinity are critical for current density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Sool Lee
- KENTECH Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) 200 Hyeoksin-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea.
| | - Wang Xin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ranaprathap Katakojwala
- Bioengineering and Environmental Engineering Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - S Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Engineering Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Noori M D Tabish
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcala, Alcala De Henares, Madrid 28801, Spain
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Lam NT, McCluskey JB, Glover DJ. Harnessing the Structural and Functional Diversity of Protein Filaments as Biomaterial Scaffolds. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:4668-4686. [PMID: 35766918 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.2c00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The natural ability of many proteins to polymerize into highly structured filaments has been harnessed as scaffolds to align functional molecules in a diverse range of biomaterials. Protein-engineering methodologies also enable the structural and physical properties of filaments to be tailored for specific biomaterial applications through genetic engineering or filaments built from the ground up using advances in the computational prediction of protein folding and assembly. Using these approaches, protein filament-based biomaterials have been engineered to accelerate enzymatic catalysis, provide routes for the biomineralization of inorganic materials, facilitate energy production and transfer, and provide support for mammalian cells for tissue engineering. In this review, we describe how the unique structural and functional diversity in natural and computationally designed protein filaments can be harnessed in biomaterials. In addition, we detail applications of these protein assemblies as material scaffolds with a particular emphasis on applications that exploit unique properties of specific filaments. Through the diversity of protein filaments, the biomaterial engineer's toolbox contains many modular protein filaments that will likely be incorporated as the main structural component of future biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nga T Lam
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Joshua B McCluskey
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Dominic J Glover
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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Kas A, Yilmazel YD. High current density via direct electron transfer by hyperthermophilic archaeon, Geoglobus acetivorans, in microbial electrolysis cells operated at 80 °C. Bioelectrochemistry 2022; 145:108072. [PMID: 35144167 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Utilization of hyperthermophilic electro-active microorganisms in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) that are used for hydrogen production from organic wastes offers significant advantages, such as increased reaction rate and enhanced degradation of insoluble materials. However, only a limited number of hyperthermophilic bioelectrochemical systems have been investigated so far. This study is the first to illustrate hydrogen production in hyperthermophilic MECs with a maximum rate of 0.57 ± 0.06 m3 H2/m3d, where an iron reducing archaeon, Geoglobus acetivorans, was used as inoculum. In fact, this is the first study to report that G. acetivorans, as the fourth hyperthermophilic electro-active archaeon. In single chamber MECs operated at 80 °C with a set potential of 0.7 V, a peak current density of 1.53 ± 0.24 A/m2 has been attained and this is the highest record of current produced by pure culture hyperthermophilic microorganisms. Turnover cyclic voltammetry curve illustrated a sigmoidal shape (midpoint of -0.40 V vs. Ag/AgCl), and together with linear relation of scan rate and peak anodic current, proves the biofilm attachment to the anode and its capability of direct electron transfer. Along with simple substrate (acetate), G. acetivorans effectively utilized dark fermentation effluent for hydrogen production in MECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aykut Kas
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Dilsad Yilmazel
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.
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Scarabotti F, Rago L, Bühler K, Harnisch F. The electrode potential determines the yield coefficients of early-stage Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilm anodes. Bioelectrochemistry 2021; 140:107752. [PMID: 33618189 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2021.107752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Geobacter sulfurreducens is the model for electroactive microorganisms (EAM). EAM can use solid state terminal electron acceptors (TEA) including anodes via extracellular electron transfer (EET). Yield coefficients relate the produced cell number or biomass to the oxidized substrate or the reduced TEA. These data are not yet sufficiently available for EAM growing at anodes. Thus, this study provides information about kinetics as well as yield coefficients of early-stage G. sulfurreducens biofilms using anodes as TEA at the potentials of -200 mV, 0 mV and +200 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl sat. KCl). The selected microorganism was therefore cultivated in single and double chamber batch reactors on graphite or AuPd anodes. Interestingly, whereas the lag time and maximum current density within 12 days of growth differed, the anode potential does not influence the coulombic efficiency and the formal potential of the EET, which remains constant for all the experiments at ~ -300 to -350 mV. We demonstrated for the first time that the anode potential has a strong influence on single cell yield coefficients which ranged from 2.69 × 1012 cells mole--1 at -200 mV and 1.48 × 1012 cells mole--1 at 0 mV to 2.58 × 1011 cells mole--1 at +200 mV in single chamber reactors and from 1.15 × 1012 cells mole--1 at -200 mV to 8.98× 1011 cells mole--1 at 0 mV in double chamber reactors. This data can be useful for optimization and scaling-up of primary microbial electrochemical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Scarabotti
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Laura Rago
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katja Bühler
- Department Solar Materials, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
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Hao W, Zhang J, Duan R, Liang P, Li M, Qi X, Li Q, Liu P, Huang X. Organic carbon coupling with sulfur reducer boosts sulfur based denitrification by Thiobacillus denitrificans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 748:142445. [PMID: 33113701 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Sulfur autotrophic denitrification utilizes elemental sulfur as the electron donor for nitrate removal from aquatic environments. Organic carbon could stimulate the conversion of sulfur and facilitates the S0-based denitrification process in the mix-trophic. In this study, the co-cultured system of sulfur reducer (Geobacter sulfurreducens) and Thiobacillus denitrificans was used to investigate that how organic carbon could boost the S0-based denitrification. The results showed that the rate of S0-based denitrification was improved with C/N ratio of 0.13 and this improvement continued even after the acetate was exhausted. Sulfur probe test and Raman analysis suggested that reduced sulfur species (Sx2-) were formed with the addition of organic carbon. The Sx2- could recombine with element sulfur and the bioavailability of S0 would be improved, as a result, the rate of S0-based denitrification increased as well. Nitrate reduction rate could further increase with the C/N ratio of 0.88, but it would decrease significantly when the C/N ratio increased to 1.50 as the high concentration of generated S2-. Our results provided explanations that why organic carbon addition would improve the bioavailability of S0 which could further promote the S0-dominant denitrification process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Hao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Jiao Zhang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Rui Duan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Peng Liang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
| | - Meng Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Xiang Qi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Qingcheng Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Panpan Liu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China.
| | - Xia Huang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
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Koga R, Matsumoto A, Kouzuma A, Watanabe K. Identification of an extracytoplasmic function sigma factor that facilitates
c
‐type cytochrome maturation and current generation under electrolyte‐flow conditions in
Shewanella oneidensis
MR
‐1. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:3671-3684. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Koga
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences 1432‐1 Horinouchi, Hachioji Tokyo 192‐0392 Japan
| | - Akiho Matsumoto
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences 1432‐1 Horinouchi, Hachioji Tokyo 192‐0392 Japan
| | - Atsushi Kouzuma
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences 1432‐1 Horinouchi, Hachioji Tokyo 192‐0392 Japan
| | - Kazuya Watanabe
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences 1432‐1 Horinouchi, Hachioji Tokyo 192‐0392 Japan
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