1
|
Philipp LA, Bühler K, Ulber R, Gescher J. Beneficial applications of biofilms. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:276-290. [PMID: 37957398 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00985-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Many microorganisms live in the form of a biofilm. Although they are feared in the medical sector, biofilms that are composed of non-pathogenic organisms can be highly beneficial in many applications, including the production of bulk and fine chemicals. Biofilm systems are natural retentostats in which the biocatalysts can adapt and optimize their metabolism to different conditions over time. The adherent nature of biofilms allows them to be used in continuous systems in which the hydraulic retention time is much shorter than the doubling time of the biocatalysts. Moreover, the resilience of organisms growing in biofilms, together with the potential of uncoupling growth from catalytic activity, offers a wide range of opportunities. The ability to work with continuous systems using a potentially self-advancing whole-cell biocatalyst is attracting interest from a range of disciplines, from applied microbiology to materials science and from bioengineering to process engineering. The field of beneficial biofilms is rapidly evolving, with an increasing number of applications being explored, and the surge in demand for sustainable and biobased solutions and processes is accelerating advances in the field. This Review provides an overview of the research topics, challenges, applications and future directions in beneficial and applied biofilm research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Alina Philipp
- Hamburg University of Technology, Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katja Bühler
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland Ulber
- RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Johannes Gescher
- Hamburg University of Technology, Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Veerubhotla R, Marzocchi U. Examining the resistance and resilience of anode-respiring Shewanella oneidensis biohybrid using microsensors. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 350:141109. [PMID: 38176592 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141109] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Immobilizing electro-active microbes within polymer matrices (thereby forming biohybrids) is a promising approach to accelerate microbial attachment to electrodes and increase the biofilm robustness. However, little is known on the fine scale chemical environment that develops within the electro-active biohybrids. Herein, we develop a biohybrid by immobilizing a culture of Shewanella oneidensis MR1 in agar matrix on the surface of a graphite electrode poised at +0.25 V. The resulting bioanode (3-6 mm thick) was grown under anoxic conditions and produced a steady current of 40 μA. Oxygen and pH distribution within the biohybrid were characterized in-situ using microsensors. As Shewanella is a facultative aerobe, it will halt the current production in the presence of oxygen. Thus, in addition, we investigated the alteration of the microenvironment during and after aeration of the medium to evaluate the oxygen tolerance of the system. During aeration, oxygen was effectively consumed in the top layers of the biofilm, leaving a 400-900 μm thick anoxic zone on the anode surface, that sustained >60% of the initial current. Current production recovered to pre-oxic condition within 5 h after the aeration was stopped, showing that immobilization can promote both high resistance and resilience of the system. Despite the absence of strong buffering conditions, pH profiles indicated a maximum drop of 0.2 units across the biohybrid. Characterizing the chemical microenvironment helps to elucidate the mechanistic functioning of artificial biofilms and hold a great potential for the designing of future, more effective biohybrid electrodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Veerubhotla
- Aarhus University Center for Water Technology WATEC, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark.
| | - Ugo Marzocchi
- Aarhus University Center for Water Technology WATEC, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark; Center for Electromicrobiology CEM, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Carducci NGG, Dey S, Hickey DP. Recent Developments and Applications of Microbial Electrochemical Biosensors. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 187:149-183. [PMID: 38273205 DOI: 10.1007/10_2023_236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of microbial electrochemical biosensors, which are a unique class of biosensors that utilize the metabolic activity of microorganisms to convert chemical signals into electrical signals. The principles and mechanisms of these biosensors are discussed, including the different types of microorganisms that can be used. The various applications of microbial electrochemical biosensors in fields such as environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and food safety are also explored. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future research directions and potential advancements in the field of microbial electrochemical biosensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nunzio Giorgio G Carducci
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Sunanda Dey
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - David P Hickey
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Garbini GL, Barra Caracciolo A, Rolando L, Visca A, Borello D, Cosentini C, Gagliardi G, Ieropoulos I, Grenni P. Effects of municipal waste compost on microbial biodiversity and energy production in terrestrial microbial fuel cells. N Biotechnol 2023; 78:131-140. [PMID: 37875210 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2023.10.009] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) transform organic matter into electricity through microbial electrochemical reactions catalysed on anodic and cathodic half-cells. Terrestrial MFCs (TMFCs) are a bioelectrochemical system for bioelectricity production as well as soil remediation. In TMFCs, the soil is the ion-exchange electrolyte, whereas a biofilm on the anode oxidises organic matter through electroactive bacteria. Little is known of the overall microbial community composition in a TMFC, which impedes complete exploitation of the potential to generate energy in different soil types. In this context, an experiment was performed to reveal the prokaryotic community structure in single chamber TMFCs with soil in the presence and absence of a municipal waste compost (3% w/v). The microbial community was assessed on the anode and cathode and in bulk soil at the end of the experiment (54 days). Moreover, TMFC electrical performance (voltage and power) was also evaluated over the experimental period, varying the external resistance to improve performance. Compost stimulated soil microbial activity, in line with a general increase in voltage and power. Significant differences were observed in the microbial communities between initial soil conditions and TMFCs, and between the anode, cathode and bulk soil in the presence of the compost. Several electroactive genera (Bacillus, Fulvivirga, Burkholdeira and Geobacter) were found at the anode in the presence of compost. Overall, the use of municipal waste compost significantly increased the performance of the MFCs in terms of electrical power and voltage generated, not least thanks to the selective pressure towards electroactive bacteria on the anode.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gian Luigi Garbini
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Barra Caracciolo
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ludovica Rolando
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Visca
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Borello
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMA), Sapienza University of Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Carlotta Cosentini
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMA), Sapienza University of Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Gabriele Gagliardi
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMA), Sapienza University of Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Water & Environmental Engineering Group, School of Engineering, University of Southampton, Bolderwood Campus, SO16 7QF, UK
| | - Paola Grenni
- Water research Institute, National Research Council, via Salaria km 29.300, Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen G, Wang R, Sun M, Chen J, Iyobosa E, Zhao J. Carbon dioxide reduction to high-value chemicals in microbial electrosynthesis system: Biological conversion and regulation strategies. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 344:140251. [PMID: 37769909 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Large emissions of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) are causing climatic and environmental problems. It is crucial to capture and utilize the excess CO2 through diverse methods, among which the microbial electrosynthesis (MES) system has become an attractive and promising technology to mitigate greenhouse effects while reducing CO2 to high-value chemicals. However, the biological conversion and metabolic pathways through microbial catalysis have not been clearly elucidated. This review first introduces the main acetogenic bacteria for CO2 reduction and extracellular electron transfer mechanisms in MES. It then intensively analyzes the CO2 bioconversion pathways and carbon chain elongation processes in MES, together with energy supply and utilization. The factors affecting MES performance, including physical, chemical, and biological aspects, are summarized, and the strategies to promote and regulate bioconversion in MES are explored. Finally, challenges and perspectives concerning microbial electrochemical carbon sequestration are proposed, and suggestions for future research are also provided. This review provides theoretical foundation and technical support for further development and industrial application of MES for CO2 reduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaoxiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Rongchang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China.
| | - Maoxin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Eheneden Iyobosa
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jianfu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze Aquatic Environment (MOE), College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, Shanghai, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Emaminejad SA, Sparks J, Cusick RD. Integrating Bio-Electrochemical Sensors and Machine Learning to Predict the Efficacy of Biological Nutrient Removal Processes at Water Resource Recovery Facilities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:18372-18381. [PMID: 37386725 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) with data-driven models is currently limited by the data limitations associated with the variability of bioavailable carbon (C) in wastewater. This study focuses on leveraging the amperometric response of a bio-electrochemical sensor (BES) to wastewater C variability, to predict influent shock loading events and NO3- removal in the first-stage anoxic zone (ANX1) of a five-stage Bardenpho BNR process using machine learning (ML) methods. Shock loading prediction with BES signal processing successfully detected 86.9% of the influent industrial slug and rain events of the plant during the study period. Extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) and artificial neural network (ANN) models developed using the BES signal and other recorded variables provided a good prediction performance for NO3- removal in the ANX1, particularly within the normal operating range of WRRFs. A sensitivity analysis of the XGBoost model using SHapley Additive exPlanations indicated that the BES signal had the strongest impact on the model output and current approaches to methanol dosing that neglect C availability can negatively impact nitrogen (N) removal due to cascading impacts of overdosing on nitrification efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Aryan Emaminejad
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jeff Sparks
- Hampton Roads Sanitation District Nansemond Treatment Plant, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455, United States
| | - Roland D Cusick
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Huang C, Chen Y, Cheng S, Li M, Wang L, Cheng M, Li F, Cao Y, Song H. Enhanced acetate utilization for value-added chemicals production in Yarrowia lipolytica by integration of metabolic engineering and microbial electrosynthesis. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:3013-3024. [PMID: 37306471 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The limited supply of reducing power restricts the efficient utilization of acetate in Yarrowia lipolytica. Here, microbial electrosynthesis (MES) system, enabling direct conversion of inward electrons to NAD(P)H, was used to improve the production of fatty alcohols from acetate based on pathway engineering. First, the conversion efficiency of acetate to acetyl-CoA was reinforced by heterogenous expression of ackA-pta genes. Second, a small amount of glucose was used as cosubstrate to activate the pentose phosphate pathway and promote intracellular reducing cofactors synthesis. Third, through the employment of MES system, the final fatty alcohols production of the engineered strain YLFL-11 reached 83.8 mg/g dry cell weight (DCW), which was 6.17-fold higher than the initial production of YLFL-2 in shake flask. Furthermore, these strategies were also applied for the elevation of lupeol and betulinic acid synthesis from acetate in Y. lipolytica, demonstrating that our work provides a practical solution for cofactor supply and the assimilation of inferior carbon sources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Huang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yaru Chen
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuai Cheng
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengxu Li
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Luxin Wang
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Meijie Cheng
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Li
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingxiu Cao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hao Song
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Radouani F, Sanchez-Cid C, Silbande A, Laure A, Ruiz-Valencia A, Robert F, Vogel TM, Salvin P. Evolution and interaction of microbial communities in mangrove microbial fuel cells and first description of Shewanella fodinae as electroactive bacterium. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 153:108460. [PMID: 37224603 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108460] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding exoelectrogenic bacteria mechanisms and their interactions in complex biofilm is critical for the development of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this article, assumptions concerning the benefits of the complex sediment microbial community for electricity production were explored with both the complex microbial community and isolates identified as Shewanella. Analysis of the microbial community revealed a strong influence of the sediment community on anodes and electrolytes compared to that of only water. Moreover, while Pelobacteraceae-related genera were dominant in our MFCs instead of Desulfuromonas and Geobacter as usually reported, the electroactive Shewanella algae and Shewanella fodinae were isolated and cultivated from the anodic biofilm. S. fodinae, described for the first time as an electroactive bacterium to the best of our knowledge, led to a maximal current density of 3.6 A/m2 set as 0.3 V/SCE in a three-electrode set-up fed with lactate. S. algae, in a complex medium containing several available substrates, showed several preferential oxidative behaviors including a diauxic behavior. In pure culture and under our conditions, S. fodinae and S. algae were not able to use acetate as a sole electron donor. However, their presence in our acetate-fed MFCs and the adaptive behavior of S. algae hint a syntrophic interaction between the bacteria to optimize the use of the substrate in a complex environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Radouani
- Laboratoire des Matériaux et Molécules en Milieu Agressif, UR4_1, UFR STE, Université des Antilles, Schoelcher, France
| | - Concepcion Sanchez-Cid
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Écully, France
| | - Adèle Silbande
- Laboratoire des Matériaux et Molécules en Milieu Agressif, UR4_1, UFR STE, Université des Antilles, Schoelcher, France
| | - Adeline Laure
- Laboratoire des Matériaux et Molécules en Milieu Agressif, UR4_1, UFR STE, Université des Antilles, Schoelcher, France
| | - Azariel Ruiz-Valencia
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, CNRS UMR 5005 Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Écully, France
| | - Florent Robert
- Laboratoire des Matériaux et Molécules en Milieu Agressif, UR4_1, UFR STE, Université des Antilles, Schoelcher, France
| | - Timothy M Vogel
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR 5557, UMR INRAe 1418, VetAgro Sup, Écologie Microbienne, équipe BEER, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Paule Salvin
- Laboratoire des Matériaux et Molécules en Milieu Agressif, UR4_1, UFR STE, Université des Antilles, Schoelcher, France.
| |
Collapse
|