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Lin C, Liang H, Yang X, Zhan J, Yang Q. Voltage recovery from frozen microbial fuel cells in the laboratory and outdoor field reactors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 942:173751. [PMID: 38839000 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173751] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Extreme temperature variations are a problem that must be faced in the practical application of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), but MFCs are not extensively described for low and even freezing temperatures. This study assessed the effect of low-temperature shock on the power generation performance and microbial community structure of MFCs. Two scales of MFCs, the small (mL-MFC) and the large (L-MFC), were constructed in the laboratory and their performance was evaluated before and after freezing at -18 °C. The experimental results demonstrate that both MFCs were capable of rapidly restoring their voltage to the previous level after thawing. For the mL-MFC (rGO/Ag), the power density recovered from 194.30 ± 10.84 mW/m2 to 195.57 ± 4.02 mW/m2 after thawing. For L-MFC (carbon felt electrodes), the power density increased significantly from the initial 1.79 mW/m2 to 173.90 mW/m2 after thawing, but the performance degradation problem after reactor amplification still needs to be solved. The sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) was successfully constructed and operated in a natural outdoor environment to maintain high voltage output after the period of frost. Microbial analysis indicated after the frost period, psychrotolerant microorganisms enriched on the anode, such as Flavobacterium and Psychrobacter, while the relative abundance of anaerobic methanogenic bacterium decreased. Overall, freeze-thaw operations had a non-negative impact on the performance of MFCs and provided some references for their practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang Lin
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Haoran Liang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Xiaojing Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Jingjing Zhan
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Ocean and Life Sciences, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China.
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Verhoeven MD, Nielsen PH, Dueholm MKD. Amplicon-guided isolation and cultivation of previously uncultured microbial species from activated sludge. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0115123. [PMID: 38051071 PMCID: PMC10734543 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01151-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Biological wastewater treatment relies on complex microbial communities that assimilate nutrients and break down pollutants in the wastewater. Knowledge about the physiology and metabolism of bacteria in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may therefore be used to improve the efficacy and economy of wastewater treatment. Our current knowledge is largely based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon profiling, fluorescence in situ hybridization studies, and predictions based on metagenome-assembled genomes. Bacterial isolates are often required to validate genome-based predictions as they allow researchers to analyze a specific species without interference from other bacteria and with simple bulk measurements. Unfortunately, there are currently very few pure cultures representing the microbes commonly found in WWTPs. To address this, we introduce an isolation strategy that takes advantage of state-of-the-art microbial profiling techniques to uncover suitable growth conditions for key WWTP microbes. We furthermore demonstrate that this information can be used to isolate key organisms representing global WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten D. Verhoeven
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Center for Microbial Communities, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Per H. Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Center for Microbial Communities, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Morten K. D. Dueholm
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Center for Microbial Communities, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Abstract
Microbial biofilms have caused serious concerns in healthcare, medical, and food industries because of their intrinsic resistance against conventional antibiotics and cleaning procedures and their capability to firmly adhere on surfaces for persistent contamination. These global issues strongly motivate researchers to develop novel methodologies to investigate the kinetics underlying biofilm formation, to understand the response of the biofilm with different chemical and physical treatments, and to identify biofilm-specific drugs with high-throughput screenings. Meanwhile microbial biofilms can also be utilized positively as sensing elements in cell-based sensors due to their strong adhesion on surfaces. In this perspective, we provide an overview on the connections between sensing and microbial biofilms, focusing on tools used to investigate biofilm properties, kinetics, and their response to chemicals or physical agents, and biofilm-based sensors, a type of biosensor using the bacterial biofilm as a biorecognition element to capture the presence of the target of interest by measuring the metabolic activity of the immobilized microbial cells. Finally we discuss possible new research directions for the development of robust and rapid biofilm related sensors with high temporal and spatial resolutions, pertinent to a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Funari
- Dipartimento di Fisica “M. Merlin”, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola, 173, Bari 70125, Italy
- CNR, Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie, Via Amendola, 173, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Amy Q. Shen
- Micro/Bio/Nanofluidics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
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Saheb‐Alam S, Persson F, Wilén B, Hermansson M, Modin O. Response to starvation and microbial community composition in microbial fuel cells enriched on different electron donors. Microb Biotechnol 2019; 12:962-975. [PMID: 31228355 PMCID: PMC6680615 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microorganisms generate electrical current by oxidizing organic compounds. MFCs operated with different electron donors harbour different microbial communities, and it is unknown how that affects their response to starvation. We analysed the microbial communities in acetate- and glucose-fed MFCs and compared their responses to 10 days starvation periods. Each starvation period resulted in a 4.2 ± 1.4% reduction in electrical current in the acetate-fed MFCs and a 10.8 ± 3.9% reduction in the glucose-fed MFCs. When feed was resumed, the acetate-fed MFCs recovered immediately, whereas the glucose-fed MFCs required 1 day to recover. The acetate-fed bioanodes were dominated by Desulfuromonas spp. converting acetate into electrical current. The glucose-fed bioanodes were dominated by Trichococcus sp., functioning as a fermenter, and a member of Desulfuromonadales, using the fermentation products to generate electrical current. Suspended biomass and biofilm growing on non-conductive regions within the MFCs had different community composition than the bioanodes. However, null models showed that homogenizing dispersal of microorganisms within the MFCs affected the community composition, and in the glucose-fed MFCs, the Trichococcus sp. was abundant in all locations. The different responses to starvation can be explained by the more complex pathway requiring microbial interactions to convert glucose into electrical current.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soroush Saheb‐Alam
- Department of Architecture and Civil EngineeringDivision of Water Environment TechnologyChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Frank Persson
- Department of Architecture and Civil EngineeringDivision of Water Environment TechnologyChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Britt‐Marie Wilén
- Department of Architecture and Civil EngineeringDivision of Water Environment TechnologyChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
| | - Malte Hermansson
- Chemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
| | - Oskar Modin
- Department of Architecture and Civil EngineeringDivision of Water Environment TechnologyChalmers University of TechnologyGothenburgSweden
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A variety of hydrogenotrophic enrichment cultures catalyse cathodic reactions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2356. [PMID: 30787309 PMCID: PMC6382808 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38006-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Biocathodes where living microorganisms catalyse reduction of CO2 can potentially be used to produce valuable chemicals. Microorganisms harbouring hydrogenases may play a key role for biocathode performance since H2 generated on the electrode surface can act as an electron donor for CO2 reduction. In this study, the possibility of catalysing cathodic reactions by hydrogenotrophic methanogens, acetogens, sulfate-reducers, denitrifiers, and acetotrophic methanogens was investigated. The cultures were enriched from an activated sludge inoculum and performed the expected metabolic functions. All enrichments formed distinct microbial communities depending on their electron donor and electron acceptor. When the cultures were added to an electrochemical cell, linear sweep voltammograms showed a shift in current generation close to the hydrogen evolution potential (−1 V versus SHE) with higher cathodic current produced at a more positive potential. All enrichment cultures except the denitrifiers were also used to inoculate biocathodes of microbial electrolysis cells operated with H+ and bicarbonate as electron acceptors and this resulted in current densities between 0.1–1 A/m2. The microbial community composition of biocathodes inoculated with different enrichment cultures were as different from each other as they were different from their suspended culture inoculum. It was noteworthy that Methanobacterium sp. appeared on all the biocathodes suggesting that it is a key microorganism catalysing biocathode reactions.
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Effect of Start-Up Strategies and Electrode Materials on Carbon Dioxide Reduction on Biocathodes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2018; 84:AEM.02242-17. [PMID: 29222104 PMCID: PMC5795077 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02242-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The enrichment of CO2-reducing microbial biocathodes is challenging. Previous research has shown that a promising approach could be to first enrich bioanodes and then lower the potential so the electrodes are converted into biocathodes. However, the effect of such a transition on the microbial community on the electrode has not been studied. The goal of this study was thus to compare the start-up of biocathodes from preenriched anodes with direct start-up from bare electrodes and to investigate changes in microbial community composition. The effect of three electrode materials on the long-term performance of the biocathodes was also investigated. In this study, preenrichment of acetate-oxidizing bioanodes did not facilitate the start-up of biocathodes. It took about 170 days for the preenriched electrodes to generate substantial cathodic current, compared to 83 days for the bare electrodes. Graphite foil and carbon felt cathodes produced higher current at the beginning of the experiment than did graphite rods. However, all electrodes produced similar current densities at the end of the over 1-year-long study (2.5 A/m2). Methane was the only product detected during operation of the biocathodes. Acetate was the only product detected after inhibition of the methanogens. Microbial community analysis showed that Geobacter sp. dominated the bioanodes. On the biocathodes, the Geobacter sp. was succeeded by Methanobacterium spp., which made up more than 80% of the population. After inhibition of the methanogens, Acetobacterium sp. became dominant on the electrodes (40% relative abundance). The results suggested that bioelectrochemically generated H2 acted as an electron donor for CO2 reduction. IMPORTANCE In microbial electrochemical systems, living microorganisms function as catalysts for reactions on the anode and/or the cathode. There is a variety of potential applications, ranging from wastewater treatment and biogas generation to production of chemicals. Systems with biocathodes could be used to reduce CO2 to methane, acetate, or other high-value chemicals. The technique can be used to convert solar energy to chemicals. However, enriching biocathodes that are capable of CO2 reduction is more difficult and less studied than enriching bioanodes. The effect of different start-up strategies and electrode materials on the microbial communities that are enriched on biocathodes has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate two different start-up strategies and three different electrode materials for start-up and long-term operation of biocathodes capable of reducing CO2 to valuable biochemicals.
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Dessì P, Porca E, Haavisto J, Lakaniemi AM, Collins G, Lens PNL. Composition and role of the attached and planktonic microbial communities in mesophilic and thermophilic xylose-fed microbial fuel cells. RSC Adv 2018; 8:3069-3080. [PMID: 35541202 PMCID: PMC9077550 DOI: 10.1039/c7ra12316g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A mesophilic (37 °C) and a thermophilic (55 °C) two-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) were studied and compared for their power production from xylose and the anode-attached, membrane-attached and planktonic microbial communities involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Dessì
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Bioengineering
- Tampere University of Technology
- FI-33101 Tampere
- Finland
| | - Estefania Porca
- Microbial Communities Laboratory
- School of Natural Sciences
- National University of Ireland Galway
- Galway
- Ireland
| | - Johanna Haavisto
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Bioengineering
- Tampere University of Technology
- FI-33101 Tampere
- Finland
| | - Aino-Maija Lakaniemi
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Bioengineering
- Tampere University of Technology
- FI-33101 Tampere
- Finland
| | - Gavin Collins
- Microbial Communities Laboratory
- School of Natural Sciences
- National University of Ireland Galway
- Galway
- Ireland
| | - Piet N. L. Lens
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Bioengineering
- Tampere University of Technology
- FI-33101 Tampere
- Finland
- UNESCO-IHE
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Abstract
Microbial electrochemistry has from the onset been recognized for its sensing potential due to the microbial ability to enhance signals through metabolic cascades, its relative selectivity toward substrates, and the higher stability conferred by the microbial ability to self-replicate. The greatest challenge has been to achieve stable and efficient transduction between a microorganism and an electrode surface. Over the past decades, a new kind of microbial architecture has been observed to spontaneously develop on polarized electrodes: the electroactive biofilm (EAB). The EAB conducts electrons over long distances and performs quasi-reversible electron transfer on conventional electrode surfaces. It also possesses self-regenerative properties. In only a few years, EABs have inspired considerable research interest for use as biosensors for environmental or bioprocess monitoring. Multiple challenges still need to be overcome before implementation at larger scale of this new kind of biosensors can be realized. This perspective first introduces the specific characteristics of the EAB with respect to other electrochemical biosensors. It summarizes the sensing applications currently proposed for EABs, stresses their limitations, and suggests strategies toward potential solutions. Conceptual prospects to engineer EABs for sensing purposes are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonin Prévoteau
- Center for Microbial Ecology
and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Korneel Rabaey
- Center for Microbial Ecology
and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Saratale RG, Saratale GD, Pugazhendhi A, Zhen G, Kumar G, Kadier A, Sivagurunathan P. Microbiome involved in microbial electrochemical systems (MESs): A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 177:176-188. [PMID: 28288426 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.02.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) are an attracting technology for the disposal of wastewater treatment and simultaneous energy production. In MESs, at the anode microorganisms through the catalytic activity generates electrons that can be converted into electricity or other valuable chemical compounds. Microorganisms those having ability to donate and accept electrons to and from anode and cathode electrodes, respectively are recognized as 'exoelectrogens'. In the MESs, it renders an important function for its performance. In the present mini-review, we have discussed the role of microbiome including pure culture, enriched culture and mixed culture in different BESs application. The effects of operational and biological factors on microbiome development have been discussed. Further discussion about the molecular techniques for the evaluation of microbial community analysis is addressed. In addition different electrochemical techniques for extracellular electron transfer (EET) mechanism of electroactive biofilms have been discussed. This review highlights the importance of microbiome in the development of MESs, effective operational factors for exo-electrogens activities as well their key challenges and future technological aspects are also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rijuta Ganesh Saratale
- Research Institute of Biotechnology and Medical Converged Science, Dongguk University- Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Ganesh Dattatraya Saratale
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University-Seoul, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Daegu University, Jillyang, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Guangyin Zhen
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Dongchuan Rd. 500, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Gopalakrishnan Kumar
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Daegu University, Jillyang, Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Abudukeremu Kadier
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, National University of Malaysia (UKM), 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Periyasamy Sivagurunathan
- Green Energy Technology Research Group, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
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