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de Smit SM, van Mameren TD, van Zwet K, van Veelen HPJ, Cristina Gagliano M, Strik DPBTB, Bitter JH. Integration of biocompatible hydrogen evolution catalyst developed from metal-mix solutions with microbial electrosynthesis. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 158:108724. [PMID: 38714063 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108724] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Microbial conversion of CO2 to multi-carbon compounds such as acetate and butyrate is a promising valorisation technique. For those reactions, the electrochemical supply of hydrogen to the biocatalyst is a viable approach. Earlier we have shown that trace metals from microbial growth media spontaneously form in situ electro-catalysts for hydrogen evolution. Here, we show biocompatibility with the successful integration of such metal mix-based HER catalyst for immediate start-up of microbial acetogenesis (CO2 to acetate). Also, n-butyrate formation started fast (after twenty days). Hydrogen was always produced in excess, although productivity decreased over the 36 to 50 days, possibly due to metal leaching from the cathode. The HER catalyst boosted microbial productivity in a two-step microbial community bioprocess: acetogenesis by a BRH-c20a strain and acetate elongation to n-butyrate by Clostridium sensu stricto 12 (related) species. These findings provide new routes to integrate electro-catalysts and micro-organisms showing respectively bio and electrochemical compatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne M de Smit
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas D van Mameren
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Koen van Zwet
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - H Pieter J van Veelen
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - M Cristina Gagliano
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - David P B T B Strik
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Johannes H Bitter
- Biobased Chemistry and Technology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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2
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Palacios PA, Philips J, Bentien A, Kofoed MVW. Relevance of extracellular electron uptake mechanisms for electromethanogenesis applications. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 73:108369. [PMID: 38685440 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108369] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Electromethanogenesis has emerged as a biological branch of Power-to-X technologies that implements methanogenic microorganisms, as an alternative to chemical Power-to-X, to convert electrical power from renewable sources, and CO2 into methane. Unlike biomethanation processes where CO2 is converted via exogenously added hydrogen, electromethanogenesis occurs in a bioelectrochemical set-up that combines electrodes and microorganisms. Thereby, mixed, or pure methanogenic cultures catalyze the reduction of CO2 to methane via reducing equivalents supplied by a cathode. Recent advances in electromethanogenesis have been driven by interdisciplinary research at the intersection of microbiology, electrochemistry, and engineering. Integrating the knowledge acquired from these areas is essential to address the specific challenges presented by this relatively young biotechnology, which include electron transfer limitations, low energy and product efficiencies, and reactor design to enable upscaling. This review approaches electromethanogenesis from a multidisciplinary perspective, putting emphasis on the extracellular electron uptake mechanisms that methanogens use to obtain energy from cathodes, since understanding these mechanisms is key to optimize the electrochemical conditions for the development of these systems. This work summarizes the direct and indirect extracellular electron uptake mechanisms that have been elucidated to date in methanogens, along with the ones that remain unsolved. As the study of microbial corrosion, a similar bioelectrochemical process with Fe0 as electron source, has contributed to elucidate different mechanisms on how methanogens use solid electron donors, insights from both fields, biocorrosion and electromethanogenesis, are combined. Based on the repertoire of mechanisms and their potential to convert CO2 to methane, we conclude that for future applications, electromethanogenesis should focus on the indirect mechanism with H2 as intermediary. By summarizing and linking the general aspects and challenges of this process, we hope that this review serves as a guide for researchers working on electromethanogenesis in different areas of expertise to overcome the current limitations and continue with the optimization of this promising interdisciplinary technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Andrea Palacios
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Jo Philips
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Bentien
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aabogade 40, Aarhus N, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Vedel Wegener Kofoed
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
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3
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Wang D, Ueki T, Ma P, Xu D, Lovley DR. Elucidating microbial iron corrosion mechanisms with a hydrogenase-deficient strain of Desulfovibrio vulgaris. MLIFE 2024; 3:269-276. [PMID: 38948142 PMCID: PMC11211667 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Sulfate-reducing microorganisms extensively contribute to the corrosion of ferrous metal infrastructure. There is substantial debate over their corrosion mechanisms. We investigated Fe0 corrosion with Desulfovibrio vulgaris, the sulfate reducer most often employed in corrosion studies. Cultures were grown with both lactate and Fe0 as potential electron donors to replicate the common environmental condition in which organic substrates help fuel the growth of corrosive microbes. Fe0 was corroded in cultures of a D. vulgaris hydrogenase-deficient mutant with the 1:1 correspondence between Fe0 loss and H2 accumulation expected for Fe0 oxidation coupled to H+ reduction to H2. This result and the extent of sulfate reduction indicated that D. vulgaris was not capable of direct Fe0-to-microbe electron transfer even though it was provided with a supplementary energy source in the presence of abundant ferrous sulfide. Corrosion in the hydrogenase-deficient mutant cultures was greater than in sterile controls, demonstrating that H2 removal was not necessary for the enhanced corrosion observed in the presence of microbes. The parental H2-consuming strain corroded more Fe0 than the mutant strain, which could be attributed to H2 oxidation coupled to sulfate reduction, producing sulfide that further stimulated Fe0 oxidation. The results suggest that H2 consumption is not necessary for microbially enhanced corrosion, but H2 oxidation can indirectly promote corrosion by increasing sulfide generation from sulfate reduction. The finding that D. vulgaris was incapable of direct electron uptake from Fe0 reaffirms that direct metal-to-microbe electron transfer has yet to be rigorously described in sulfate-reducing microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Wang
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education)Northeastern UniversityShenyangChina
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Toshiyuki Ueki
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education)Northeastern UniversityShenyangChina
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Peiyu Ma
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education)Northeastern UniversityShenyangChina
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Dake Xu
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education)Northeastern UniversityShenyangChina
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials ScienceNortheastern UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education)Northeastern UniversityShenyangChina
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of MassachusettsAmherstMAUSA
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4
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Varnava CK, Persianis P, Ieropoulos I, Tsipa A. Electricity generation and real oily wastewater treatment by Pseudomonas citronellolis 620C in a microbial fuel cell: pyocyanin production as electron shuttle. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2024; 47:903-917. [PMID: 38630261 PMCID: PMC11101561 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-024-03016-1] [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: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
In the present study, the potential of Pseudomonas citronellolis 620C strain was evaluated, for the first time, to generate electricity in a standard, double chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC), with oily wastewater (OW) being the fuel at 43.625 mg/L initial chemical oxygen demand (COD). Both electrochemical and physicochemical results suggested that this P. citronellolis strain utilized efficiently the OW substrate and generated electricity in the MFC setup reaching 0.05 mW/m2 maximum power. COD removal was remarkable reaching 83.6 ± 0.1%, while qualitative and quantitative gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of the OW total petroleum and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and fatty acids revealed high degradation capacity. It was also determined that P. citronellolis 620C produced pyocyanin as electron shuttle in the anodic MFC chamber. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first study showing (phenazine-based) pyocyanin production from a species other than P. aeruginosa and, also, the first time that P. citronellolis 620C has been shown to produce electricity in a MFC. The production of pyocyanin, in combination with the formation of biofilm in the MFC anode, as observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, makes this P. citronellolis strain an attractive and promising candidate for wider MFC applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantina K Varnava
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Panagiotis Persianis
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ioannis Ieropoulos
- Water and Environmental Engineering Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 7QF, UK
| | - Argyro Tsipa
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
- Nireas International Water Research Centre, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
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5
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Mei N, Tremblay PL, Wu Y, Zhang T. Proposed mechanisms of electron uptake in metal-corroding methanogens and their potential for CO 2 bioconversion applications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 923:171384. [PMID: 38432383 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171384] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Some methanogens are electrotrophic bio-corroding microbes that can acquire electrons from solid surfaces including metals. In the laboratory, pure cultures of methanogenic cells oxidize iron-based materials including carbon steel, stainless steel, and Fe0. For buried or immersed pipelines or other metallic structures, methanogens are often major components of corroding biofilms with complex interspecies relationships. Models explaining how these microbes acquire electrons from solid donors are multifaceted and include electron transfer via redox mediators such as H2 or by direct contact through membrane proteins. Understanding the electron uptake (EU) routes employed by corroding methanogens is essential to develop efficient strategies for corrosion prevention. It is also beneficial for the development of bioenergy applications relying on methanogenic EU from solid donors such as bioelectromethanogenesis, hybrid photosynthesis, and the acceleration of anaerobic digestion with electroconductive particles. Many methanogenic species carrying out biocorrosion are the same ones forming the extensive abiotic-biological interfaces at the core of these bio-applications. This review will discuss the interactions between corrosive methanogens and metals and how the EU capability of these microbes can be harnessed for different sustainable biotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Mei
- Institut WUT-AMU, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Pier-Luc Tremblay
- Institut WUT-AMU, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Shaoxing Institute for Advanced Research, Wuhan University of Technology, Shaoxing 312300, PR China; Sanya Science and Education Innovation Park, Wuhan University of Technology, Sanya 572024, PR China
| | - Yuyang Wu
- Institut WUT-AMU, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Institut WUT-AMU, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Life Science, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, PR China; Shaoxing Institute for Advanced Research, Wuhan University of Technology, Shaoxing 312300, PR China; Sanya Science and Education Innovation Park, Wuhan University of Technology, Sanya 572024, PR China.
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6
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Yates MD, Mickol RL, Vignola A, Baldwin JW, Glaven SM, Tender LM. Performance of a combined electrotrophic and electrogenic biofilm operated under long-term, continuous cycling. Biotechnol Lett 2024; 46:213-221. [PMID: 38300444 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03450-3] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evaluate electrochemically active biofilms as high energy density rechargeable microbial batteries toward providing persistent power in applications where traditional battery technology is limiting (, remote monitoring applications). RESULTS Here we demonstrated that an electrochemically active biofilm was able to store and release electrical charge for alternating charge/discharge cycles of up to 24 h periodicity (50% duty cycle) with no significant decrease in average current density (0.16 ± 0.04 A/m2) for over 600 days. However, operation at 24 h periodicity for > 50 days resulted in a sharp decrease in the current to nearly zero. This current crash was recoverable by decreasing the periodicity. Overall, the coulombic efficiency remained near unity within experimental error (102 ± 3%) for all of the tested cycling periods. Electrochemical characterization here suggests that electron transfer occurs through multiple routes, likely a mixture of direct and mediated mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that bidirectional electrogenic/electrotrophic biofilms are capable of efficient charge storage/release over a wide range of cycling frequency and may eventually enable development of sustainable, high energy density rechargeable batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Yates
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA.
| | - Rebecca L Mickol
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - Amelia Vignola
- Acoustics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Baldwin
- Acoustics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - Sarah M Glaven
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
| | - Leonard M Tender
- Center for Bio/Molecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, 20375, USA
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7
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Yang G, Xia X, Nie W, Qin B, Hou T, Lin A, Yao S, Zhuang L. Bidirectional extracellular electron transfer pathways of Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms: Molecular insights into extracellular polymeric substances. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 245:118038. [PMID: 38147916 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.118038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The basis for bioelectrochemical technology is the capability of electroactive bacteria (EAB) to perform bidirectional extracellular electron transfer (EET) with electrodes, i.e. outward- and inward-EET. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) surrounding EAB are the necessary media for EET, but the biochemical and molecular analysis of EPS of Geobacter biofilms on electrode surface is largely lacked. This study constructed Geobacter sulfurreducens-biofilms performing bidirectional EET to explore the bidirectional EET mechanisms through EPS characterization using electrochemical, spectroscopic fingerprinting and proteomic techniques. Results showed that the inward-EET required extracellular redox proteins with lower formal potentials relative to outward-EET. Comparing to the EPS extracted from anodic biofilm (A-EPS), the EPS extracted from cathodic biofilm (C-EPS) exhibited a lower redox activity, mainly due to a decrease of protein/polysaccharide ratio and α-helix content of proteins. Furthermore, less cytochromes and more tyrosine- and tryptophan-protein like substances were detected in C-EPS than in A-EPS, indicating a diminished role of cytochromes and a possible role of other redox proteins in inward-EET. Proteomic analysis identified a variety of redox proteins including cytochrome, iron-sulfur clusters-containing protein, flavoprotein and hydrogenase in EPS, which might serve as an extracellular redox network for bidirectional EET. Those redox proteins that were significantly stimulated in A-EPS and C-EPS might be essential for outward- and inward-EET and warranted further research. This work sheds light on the mechanism of bidirectional EET of G. sulfurreducens biofilms and has implications in improving the performance of bioelectrochemical technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiqin Yang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xue Xia
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Weijie Nie
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Baoli Qin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Tiqun Hou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Annian Lin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Sijie Yao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Li Zhuang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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8
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Harnisch F, Deutzmann JS, Boto ST, Rosenbaum MA. Microbial electrosynthesis: opportunities for microbial pure cultures. Trends Biotechnol 2024:S0167-7799(24)00033-7. [PMID: 38431514 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.02.004] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an emerging technology that couples renewable electricity to microbial production processes. Although advances in MES performance have been driven largely by microbial mixed cultures, we see a great limitation in the diversity, and hence value, of products that can be achieved in undefined mixed cultures. By contrast, metabolic control of pure cultures and genetic engineering could greatly expand the scope of MES, and even of broader electrobiotechnology, to include targeted high-value products. To leverage this potential, we advocate for more efforts and activities to develop engineered electroactive microbes for synthesis, and we highlight the need for a standardized electrobioreactor infrastructure that allows the establishment and engineering of electrobioprocesses with these novel biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Harnisch
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH, Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jörg S Deutzmann
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Santiago T Boto
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Adolf Reichwein Strasse 23, 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Adolf Reichwein Strasse 23, 07745 Jena, Germany; Institute of Microbiology, Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743 Jena, Germany.
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9
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Holmes DE, Woodard TL, Smith JA, Musat F, Lovley DR. Electrobiocorrosion by microbes without outer-surface cytochromes. MLIFE 2024; 3:110-118. [PMID: 38827509 PMCID: PMC11139208 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobic microbial corrosion of iron-containing metals causes extensive economic damage. Some microbes are capable of direct metal-to-microbe electron transfer (electrobiocorrosion), but the prevalence of electrobiocorrosion among diverse methanogens and acetogens is poorly understood because of a lack of tools for their genetic manipulation. Previous studies have suggested that respiration with 316L stainless steel as the electron donor is indicative of electrobiocorrosion, because, unlike pure Fe0, 316L stainless steel does not abiotically generate H2 as an intermediary electron carrier. Here, we report that all of the methanogens (Methanosarcina vacuolata, Methanothrix soehngenii, and Methanobacterium strain IM1) and acetogens (Sporomusa ovata and Clostridium ljungdahlii) evaluated respired with pure Fe0 as the electron donor, but only M. vacuolata, Mx. soehngenii, and S. ovata were capable of stainless steel electrobiocorrosion. The electrobiocorrosive methanogens required acetate as an additional energy source in order to produce methane from stainless steel. Cocultures of S. ovata and Mx. soehngenii demonstrated how acetogens can provide acetate to methanogens during corrosion. Not only was Methanobacterium strain IM1 not capable of electrobiocorrosion, but it also did not accept electrons from Geobacter metallireducens, an effective electron-donating partner for direct interspecies electron transfer to all methanogens that can directly accept electrons from Fe0. The finding that M. vacuolata, Mx. soehngenii, and S. ovata are capable of electrobiocorrosion, despite a lack of the outer-surface c-type cytochromes previously found to be important in other electrobiocorrosive microbes, demonstrates that there are multiple microbial strategies for making electrical contact with Fe0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn E. Holmes
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Physical and Biological ScienceWestern New England UniversitySpringfieldMassachusettsUSA
| | - Trevor L. Woodard
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jessica A. Smith
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Biomolecular SciencesCentral Connecticut State UniversityNew BritainConnecticutUSA
| | - Florin Musat
- Department of Biology, Section for MicrobiologyAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and GeologyBabeş‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
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10
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Sandfeld T, Grøn LV, Munoz L, Meyer RL, Koren K, Philips J. Considerations on the use of microsensors to profile dissolved H2 concentrations in microbial electrochemical reactors. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0293734. [PMID: 38241241 PMCID: PMC10798470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Measuring the distribution and dynamics of H2 in microbial electrochemical reactors is valuable to gain insights into the processes behind novel bioelectrochemical technologies, such as microbial electrosynthesis. Here, a microsensor method to measure and profile dissolved H2 concentrations in standard H-cell reactors is described. Graphite cathodes were oriented horizontally to enable the use of a motorized microprofiling system and a stereomicroscope was used to place the H2 microsensor precisely on the cathode surface. Profiling was performed towards the gas-liquid interface, while preserving the electric connections and flushing the headspace (to maintain anoxic conditions) and under strict temperature control (to overcome the temperature sensitivity of the microsensors). This method was tested by profiling six reactors, with and without inoculation of the acetogen Sporomusa ovata, at three different time points. H2 accumulated over time in the abiotic controls, while S. ovata maintained low H2 concentrations throughout the liquid phase (< 4 μM) during the whole experimental period. These results demonstrate that this setup generated insightful H2 profiles. However, various limitations of this microsensor method were identified, as headspace flushing lowered the dissolved H2 concentrations over time. Moreover, microsensors can likely not accurately measure H2 in the immediate vicinity of the solid cathode, because the solids cathode surface obstructs H2 diffusion into the microsensor. Finally, the reactors had to be discarded after microsensor profiling. Interested users should bear these considerations in mind when applying microsensors to characterize microbial electrochemical reactors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louise Vinther Grøn
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Laura Munoz
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Rikke Louise Meyer
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Klaus Koren
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jo Philips
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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11
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Wang H, Zhou Q. Dominant factors analyses and challenges of anaerobic digestion under cold environments. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 348:119378. [PMID: 37883833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119378] [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: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
With the development of fermentation technology and the improvement of efficiency, anaerobic digestion (AD) has been playing an increasingly primary role in waste treatment and resource recovery. Temperature is undoubtedly the most important factor because it shapes microbial habitats, changes the composition of the microbial community structure, and even affects the expression of related functional genes. More than half of the biosphere is in a long-term or seasonal low-temperature environment (<20 °C), which makes psychrophilic AD have broad application prospects. Therefore, this review discusses the influencing factors and enhancement strategies of psychrophilic AD, which may provide a corresponding reference for future research on low-temperature fermentation. First, the occurrence of AD has been discussed. Then, the adaptation of microorganisms to the low-temperature environment was analyzed. Moreover, the challenges of psychrophilic AD have been reviewed. Meanwhile, the strategies for improving psychrophilic AD are presented. Further, from technology to application, the current situation of psychrophilic AD in pilot-scale tests is described. Finally, the economic and environmental feasibility of psychrophilic AD has been highlighted. In summary, psychrophilic AD is technically feasible, while economic analysis shows that the output benefits cannot fully cover the input costs, and the large-scale practical application of psychrophilic AD is still in its infancy. More research should focus on how to improve fermentation efficiency and reduce the investment cost of psychrophilic AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Qixing Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
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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.
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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
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13
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Tejedor-Sanz S, Li S, Kundu BB, Ajo-Franklin CM. Extracellular electron uptake from a cathode by the lactic acid bacterium Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1298023. [PMID: 38075918 PMCID: PMC10701730 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1298023] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A subset of microorganisms that perform respiration can endogenously utilize insoluble electron donors, such as Fe(II) or a cathode, in a process called extracellular electron transfer (EET). However, it is unknown whether similar endogenous EET can be performed by primarily fermentative species like lactic acid bacteria. We report for the first time electron uptake from a cathode by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, a primarily fermentative bacteria found in the gut of mammals and in fermented foods. L. plantarum consumed electrons from a cathode and coupled this oxidation to the reduction of both an endogenous organic (pyruvate) and an exogenous inorganic electron acceptor (nitrate). This electron uptake from a cathode reroutes glucose fermentation toward lactate degradation and provides cells with a higher viability upon sugar exhaustion. Moreover, the associated genes and cofactors indicate that this activity is mechanistically different from that one employed by lactic acid bacteria to reduce an anode and to perform respiration. Our results expand our knowledge of the diversity of electroactive species and of the metabolic and bioenergetic strategies used by lactic acid bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Tejedor-Sanz
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Biological Nanostructures Facility, The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Siliang Li
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Biki Bapi Kundu
- PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Biological Nanostructures Facility, The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
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14
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Abstract
A wide diversity of microorganisms, typically growing as biofilms, has been implicated in corrosion, a multi-trillion dollar a year problem. Aerobic microorganisms establish conditions that promote metal corrosion, but most corrosion has been attributed to anaerobes. Microbially produced organic acids, sulfide and extracellular hydrogenases can accelerate metallic iron (Fe0) oxidation coupled to hydrogen (H2) production, as can respiratory anaerobes consuming H2 as an electron donor. Some bacteria and archaea directly accept electrons from Fe0 to support anaerobic respiration, often with c-type cytochromes as the apparent outer-surface electrical contact with the metal. Functional genetic studies are beginning to define corrosion mechanisms more rigorously. Omics studies are revealing which microorganisms are associated with corrosion, but new strategies for recovering corrosive microorganisms in culture are required to evaluate corrosive capabilities and mechanisms. Interdisciplinary studies of the interactions among microorganisms and between microorganisms and metals in corrosive biofilms show promise for developing new technologies to detect and prevent corrosion. In this Review, we explore the role of microorganisms in metal corrosion and discuss potential ways to mitigate it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dake Xu
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
- Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Tingyue Gu
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA.
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA.
- Institute for Corrosion and Multiphase Technology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA.
- Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA.
| | - Derek R Lovley
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
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15
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Baek G, Logan BE. A comprehensive analysis of key factors influencing methane production from CO 2 using microbial methanogenesis cells. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120657. [PMID: 37778082 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120657] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
With increasing attention on carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies for the conversion of CO2 into chemical products, microbial methanogenesis cells (MMCs) have been extensively studied over the past few decades for biomethane production. Using rapidly accumulating data for MMCs with varying configurations and operating conditions, a comprehensive analysis was conducted here to investigate the critical factors that influence methane production rates (MPR) in these systems. A comparison of MPR and set potentials or current densities showed weak linear relationships (R2 < 0.6, p < 0.05), indicating the significant contributions of other important factors impacting methane production. A non-quantitative analysis of these additional parameters indicated the potential importance of using metal catalysts for anode materials where oxygen evolution reaction occurs, while most previous MMC research focused more on cathode materials where the biocatalytic reaction occurs. The use of undefined mixed anaerobic cultures as inocula was found to be sufficient for producing high MPRs, as the electrochemical environment at the cathode provides a strong selective pressure to converge on desirable methanogenic cultures. Other operational parameters, such as catholyte pH control and CO2 supply methods, were also important factors impacting MPR in MMCs, indicating the cumulative impact of these various factors will require careful consideration in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gahyun Baek
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066 Seoburo, Jangan-gu, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bruce E Logan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 231Q Sackett Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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16
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Yang Y, Liu LN, Tian H, Cooper AI, Sprick RS. Making the connections: physical and electric interactions in biohybrid photosynthetic systems. ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2023; 16:4305-4319. [PMID: 38013927 PMCID: PMC10566253 DOI: 10.1039/d3ee01265d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Biohybrid photosynthesis systems, which combine biological and non-biological materials, have attracted recent interest in solar-to-chemical energy conversion. However, the solar efficiencies of such systems remain low, despite advances in both artificial photosynthesis and synthetic biology. Here we discuss the potential of conjugated organic materials as photosensitisers for biological hybrid systems compared to traditional inorganic semiconductors. Organic materials offer the ability to tune both photophysical properties and the specific physicochemical interactions between the photosensitiser and biological cells, thus improving stability and charge transfer. We highlight the state-of-the-art and opportunities for new approaches in designing new biohybrid systems. This perspective also summarises the current understanding of the underlying electron transport process and highlights the research areas that need to be pursued to underpin the development of hybrid photosynthesis systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yang
- Materials Innovation Factory and Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool Liverpool L7 3NY UK
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 7ZB UK
| | - Lu-Ning Liu
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool Liverpool L69 7ZB UK
- College of Marine Life Sciences, and Frontiers Science Centre for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China 266003 Qingdao P. R. China
| | - Haining Tian
- Department of Chemistry-Ångström Laboratories, Uppsala University Box 523 751 20 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Andrew I Cooper
- Materials Innovation Factory and Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool Liverpool L7 3NY UK
| | - Reiner Sebastian Sprick
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde Thomas Graham Building, 295 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 1XL UK
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17
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Schwander L, Brabender M, Mrnjavac N, Wimmer JLE, Preiner M, Martin WF. Serpentinization as the source of energy, electrons, organics, catalysts, nutrients and pH gradients for the origin of LUCA and life. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1257597. [PMID: 37854333 PMCID: PMC10581274 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1257597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Serpentinization in hydrothermal vents is central to some autotrophic theories for the origin of life because it generates compartments, reductants, catalysts and gradients. During the process of serpentinization, water circulates through hydrothermal systems in the crust where it oxidizes Fe (II) in ultramafic minerals to generate Fe (III) minerals and H2. Molecular hydrogen can, in turn, serve as a freely diffusible source of electrons for the reduction of CO2 to organic compounds, provided that suitable catalysts are present. Using catalysts that are naturally synthesized in hydrothermal vents during serpentinization H2 reduces CO2 to formate, acetate, pyruvate, and methane. These compounds represent the backbone of microbial carbon and energy metabolism in acetogens and methanogens, strictly anaerobic chemolithoautotrophs that use the acetyl-CoA pathway of CO2 fixation and that inhabit serpentinizing environments today. Serpentinization generates reduced carbon, nitrogen and - as newer findings suggest - reduced phosphorous compounds that were likely conducive to the origins process. In addition, it gives rise to inorganic microcompartments and proton gradients of the right polarity and of sufficient magnitude to support chemiosmotic ATP synthesis by the rotor-stator ATP synthase. This would help to explain why the principle of chemiosmotic energy harnessing is more conserved (older) than the machinery to generate ion gradients via pumping coupled to exergonic chemical reactions, which in the case of acetogens and methanogens involve H2-dependent CO2 reduction. Serpentinizing systems exist in terrestrial and deep ocean environments. On the early Earth they were probably more abundant than today. There is evidence that serpentinization once occurred on Mars and is likely still occurring on Saturn's icy moon Enceladus, providing a perspective on serpentinization as a source of reductants, catalysts and chemical disequilibrium for life on other worlds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loraine Schwander
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Max Brabender
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Natalia Mrnjavac
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jessica L. E. Wimmer
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martina Preiner
- Microcosm Earth Center, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany
| | - William F. Martin
- Institute of Molecular Evolution, Biology Department, Math. -Nat. Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
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18
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Xu Z, Wang W, Liu Y, Zhao Y, Zhang X, Ban Y. Performances and mechanisms of simultaneous removal of nitrate and phosphate by biofilter assembled with sponge iron/copper and corn cobs. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 386:129516. [PMID: 37468007 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129516] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Sponge iron (SI) is a potential material for removing nitrate and phosphate from water. We decorated the SI with copper (Cu) to enhance its removal performance. To gain insight into the nitrate and phosphate removal utilizing SI/Cu and microbial coupling systems, three biofilters filled with corn cob (CC), corn cob + sponge iron (CS) and corn cob + sponge iron/copper (CSCu) were constructed. The results showed that the effluent NO3--N and PO43--P concentrations of CSCu remained consistently below 1 and 0.1 mg/L. The introduction of SI/Cu led to the enrichment of the Dechloromonas genus, making it the dominant microbial group, occupying 42.65% of the effective sequences. Modification of SI with Cu increased nitrogen cycle-related functional genes abundance in CSCu, with a 634% increase in nirS compared to CS. These findings proved that SI/Cu was a promising material, providing an approach to concomitantly removing nitrate and phosphate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouying Xu
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Wuyi Wang
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Yubo Liu
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Yinqi Zhao
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Xiangling Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Yihui Ban
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
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19
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Nandy A, Farkas D, Pepió-Tárrega B, Martinez-Crespiera S, Borràs E, Avignone-Rossa C, Di Lorenzo M. Influence of carbon-based cathodes on biofilm composition and electrochemical performance in soil microbial fuel cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 16:100276. [PMID: 37206316 PMCID: PMC10189395 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Increasing energy demands and environmental pollution concerns press for sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies. Soil microbial fuel cell (SMFC) technology has great potential for carbon-neutral bioenergy generation and self-powered electrochemical bioremediation. In this study, an in-depth assessment on the effect of several carbon-based cathode materials on the electrochemical performance of SMFCs is provided for the first time. An innovative carbon nanofibers electrode doped with Fe (CNFFe) is used as cathode material in membrane-less SMFCs, and the performance of the resulting device is compared with SMFCs implementing either Pt-doped carbon cloth (PtC), carbon cloth, or graphite felt (GF) as the cathode. Electrochemical analyses are integrated with microbial analyses to assess the impact on both electrogenesis and microbial composition of the anodic and cathodic biofilm. The results show that CNFFe and PtC generate very stable performances, with a peak power density (with respect to the cathode geometric area) of 25.5 and 30.4 mW m-2, respectively. The best electrochemical performance was obtained with GF, with a peak power density of 87.3 mW m-2. Taxonomic profiling of the microbial communities revealed differences between anodic and cathodic communities. The anodes were predominantly enriched with Geobacter and Pseudomonas species, while cathodic communities were dominated by hydrogen-producing and hydrogenotrophic bacteria, indicating H2 cycling as a possible electron transfer mechanism. The presence of nitrate-reducing bacteria, combined with the results of cyclic voltammograms, suggests microbial nitrate reduction occurred on GF cathodes. The results of this study can contribute to the development of effective SMFC design strategies for field implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpita Nandy
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Centre for Biosensors, Bioelectronics & Biodevices (C3Bio), University of Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Daniel Farkas
- Department of Microbial Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Belén Pepió-Tárrega
- LEITAT Technological Center, C/ de la Innovació, 2, 08225, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Eduard Borràs
- LEITAT Technological Center, C/ de la Innovació, 2, 08225, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Mirella Di Lorenzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Centre for Biosensors, Bioelectronics & Biodevices (C3Bio), University of Bath, Claverton Down, BA2 7AY, UK
- Corresponding author.
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20
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Fiskal A, Shuster J, Fischer S, Joshi P, Raghunatha Reddy L, Wulf SE, Kappler A, Fischer H, Herrig I, Meier J. Microbially influenced corrosion and rust tubercle formation on sheet piles in freshwater systems. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:1796-1815. [PMID: 37145936 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The extent of how complex natural microbial communities contribute to metal corrosion is still not fully resolved, especially not for freshwater environments. In order to elucidate the key processes, we investigated rust tubercles forming massively on sheet piles along the river Havel (Germany) applying a complementary set of techniques. In-situ microsensor profiling revealed steep gradients of O2 , redox potential and pH within the tubercle. Micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy showed a multi-layered inner structure with chambers and channels and various organisms embedded in the mineral matrix. Using Mössbauer spectroscopy we identified typical corrosion products including electrically conductive iron (Fe) minerals. Determination of bacterial gene copy numbers and sequencing of 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA amplicons supported a densely populated tubercle matrix with a phylogenetically and metabolically diverse microbial community. Based on our results and previous models of physic(electro)chemical reactions, we propose here a comprehensive concept of tubercle formation highlighting the crucial reactions and microorganisms involved (such as phototrophs, fermenting bacteria, dissimilatory sulphate and Fe(III) reducers) in metal corrosion in freshwaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Fiskal
- Department U2-Microbial Ecology, Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Jeremiah Shuster
- Tübingen Structural Microscopy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Geomicrobiology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Fischer
- Tübingen Structural Microscopy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Geomicrobiology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Prachi Joshi
- Geomicrobiology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Sven-Erik Wulf
- Section B2-Steel Structures and Corrosion Protection, Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Andreas Kappler
- Tübingen Structural Microscopy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Geomicrobiology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence: EXC 2124: Controlling Microbes to Fight Infection, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Helmut Fischer
- Department U2-Microbial Ecology, Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Ilona Herrig
- Department G3-Ecotoxicology, Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Jutta Meier
- Institute for Integrated Natural Sciences, University Koblenz, Koblenz, Germany
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21
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Fu B, Mao X, Park Y, Zhao Z, Yan T, Jung W, Francis DH, Li W, Pian B, Salimijazi F, Suri M, Hanrath T, Barstow B, Chen P. Single-cell multimodal imaging uncovers energy conversion pathways in biohybrids. Nat Chem 2023; 15:1400-1407. [PMID: 37500951 DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01285-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Microbe-semiconductor biohybrids, which integrate microbial enzymatic synthesis with the light-harvesting capabilities of inorganic semiconductors, have emerged as promising solar-to-chemical conversion systems. Improving the electron transport at the nano-bio interface and inside cells is important for boosting conversion efficiencies, yet the underlying mechanism is challenging to study by bulk measurements owing to the heterogeneities of both constituents. Here we develop a generalizable, quantitative multimodal microscopy platform that combines multi-channel optical imaging and photocurrent mapping to probe such biohybrids down to single- to sub-cell/particle levels. We uncover and differentiate the critical roles of different hydrogenases in the lithoautotrophic bacterium Ralstonia eutropha for bioplastic formation, discover this bacterium's surprisingly large nanoampere-level electron-uptake capability, and dissect the cross-membrane electron-transport pathways. This imaging platform, and the associated analytical framework, can uncover electron-transport mechanisms in various types of biohybrid, and potentially offers a means to use and engineer R. eutropha for efficient chemical production coupled with photocatalytic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Fu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xianwen Mao
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Functional Intelligent Materials, and Centre for Advanced 2D Materials, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Youngchan Park
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Zhiheng Zhao
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Tianlei Yan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Won Jung
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Danielle H Francis
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Friends School of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wenjie Li
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Brooke Pian
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Farshid Salimijazi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Mokshin Suri
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Tobias Hanrath
- Robert F. Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Buz Barstow
- Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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22
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Laura M, Jo P. No acetogen is equal: Strongly different H 2 thresholds reflect diverse bioenergetics in acetogenic bacteria. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2032-2040. [PMID: 37209014 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16429] [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] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Acetogens share the capacity to convert H2 and CO2 into acetate for energy conservation (ATP synthesis). This reaction is attractive for applications, such as gas fermentation and microbial electrosynthesis. Different H2 partial pressures prevail in these distinctive applications (low concentrations during microbial electrosynthesis [<40 Pa] vs. high concentrations with gas fermentation [>9%]). Strain selection thus requires understanding of how different acetogens perform under different H2 partial pressures. Here, we determined the H2 threshold (H2 partial pressure at which acetogenesis halts) for eight different acetogenic strains under comparable conditions. We found a three orders of magnitude difference between the lowest and highest H2 threshold (6 ± 2 Pa for Sporomusa ovata vs. 1990 ± 67 Pa for Clostridium autoethanogenum), while Acetobacterium strains had intermediate H2 thresholds. We used these H2 thresholds to estimate ATP gains, which ranged from 0.16 to 1.01 mol ATP per mol acetate (S. ovata vs. C. autoethanogenum). The experimental H2 thresholds thus suggest strong differences in the bioenergetics of acetogenic strains and possibly also in their growth yields and kinetics. We conclude that no acetogen is equal and that a good understanding of their differences is essential to select the most optimal strain for different biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munoz Laura
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Philips Jo
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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23
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Boto ST, Bardl B, Harnisch F, Rosenbaum MA. Microbial electrosynthesis with Clostridium ljungdahlii benefits from hydrogen electron mediation and permits a greater variety of products. GREEN CHEMISTRY : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL AND GREEN CHEMISTRY RESOURCE : GC 2023; 25:4375-4386. [PMID: 37288452 PMCID: PMC10243432 DOI: 10.1039/d3gc00471f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a very promising technology addressing the challenge of carbon dioxide recycling into organic compounds, which might serve as building blocks for the (bio)chemical industry. However, poor process control and understanding of fundamental aspects such as the microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) currently limit further developments. In the model acetogen Clostridium ljungdahlii, both direct and indirect electron consumption via hydrogen have been proposed. However, without clarification neither targeted development of the microbial catalyst nor process engineering of MES are possible. In this study, cathodic hydrogen is demonstrated to be the dominating electron source for C. ljungdahlii at electroautotrophic MES allowing for superior growth and biosynthesis, compared to previously reported MES using pure cultures. Hydrogen availability distinctly controlled an either planktonic- or biofilm-dominated lifestyle of C. ljungdahlii. The most robust operation yielded higher planktonic cell densities in a hydrogen mediated process, which demonstrated the uncoupling of growth and biofilm formation. This coincided with an increase of metabolic activity, acetate titers, and production rates (up to 6.06 g L-1 at 0.11 g L-1 d-1). For the first time, MES using C. ljungdahlii was also revealed to deliver other products than acetate in significant amounts: here up to 0.39 g L-1 glycine or 0.14 g L-1 ethanolamine. Hence, a deeper comprehension of the electrophysiology of C. ljungdahlii was shown to be key for designing and improving bioprocess strategies in MES research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago T Boto
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) Jena Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena Germany
| | - Bettina Bardl
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) Jena Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- UFZ - Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research GmbH, Department of Environmental Microbiology Permoserstraße 15 04318 Leipzig Germany
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI) Jena Germany
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena Germany
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Moghiseh Z, Xiao Y, Kalantar M, Barati B, Ghahrchi M. Role of bio-electrochemical technology for enzyme activity stimulation in high-consumption pharmaceuticals biodegradation. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:119. [PMID: 37025753 PMCID: PMC10070591 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03539-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and their intermediate residues have recently been considered a serious concern. Among technologies, bio-electrochemical technologies (BETs) have stimulated the production of bio-electrical energy. This review aims to examine the benefit and mechanism of BETs on the degradation of high-consumption pharmaceutical compounds, including antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic drugs, and the stimulation of enzymes induced in a bioreactor. Moreover, intermediates and the proposed pathways of pharmaceutical compound biodegradation in BETs are to be explained in this review. According to studies performed exclusively, the benefit of BETs is using bio-electroactive microbes to mineralize recalcitrant pharmaceutical contaminants by promoting enzyme activity and energy. Since BETs use the electron transfer chain between bio-anode/-cathode and pharmaceuticals, the enzyme activity is essential in the oxidation and reduction of phenolic rings of drugs and the ineffective detoxification of effluent from the treatment plant. This study is suggested a vital and influential role of BETs in mineralizing and enzyme induction in bioreactors. Eventually, a content of future developments or outlooks of BETs are propounded to improve the pharmaceutical industries' wastewater problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Moghiseh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran
| | - Yong Xiao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, Fujian 361021 People’s Republic of China
| | - Mojtaba Kalantar
- Department of Occupational Health, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran
| | - Barat Barati
- Department of Radiologic Technology, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran
| | - Mina Ghahrchi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Torbat Jam Faculty of Medical Sciences, Torbat Jam, Iran
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Al-Mamun A, Ahmed W, Jafary T, Nayak JK, Al-Nuaimi A, Sana A. Recent advances in microbial electrosynthesis system: Metabolic investigation and process optimization. Biochem Eng J 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2023.108928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
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Bioconversion of Glycerol to 1,3-Propanediol Using Klebsiella pneumoniae L17 with the Microbially Influenced Corrosion of Zero-Valent Iron. FERMENTATION-BASEL 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation9030233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial redox state is essential for controlling the titer and yield of the final metabolites in most bioconversion processes. Glycerol conversion to 1,3-propanediol (PDO) requires a large amount of reducing equivalent and the expression of reductive pathways. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) was used in the glycerol bioconversion of Klebsiella pneumoniae L17. The level of 1,3-PDO production increased with the oxidation of ZVI (31.8 ± 1.2 vs. 25.7 ± 0.5, ZVI vs. no ZVI) while the cellular NADH/NAD+ level increased (0.6 vs. 0.3, ZVI vs. no ZVI). X-ray diffraction showed that the iron oxide (Fe2O3) was formed during glycerol fermentation. L17 obtained electrons from ZVI and dissolved the iron continuously to form cracks on the surface, suggesting microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) was involved on the surface of ZVI. The ZVI-implemented fermentation shifted bioconversion to a more glycerol-reductive pathway. The qPCR-presented glycerol dehydratase (DhaB) with ZVI implementation was strongly expressed compared to the control. These results suggest that ZVI can contribute to the biotransformation of PDO by inducing intracellular metabolic shifts. This study could also suggest a novel microbial fermentation strategy with the application of MIC.
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H 2 Is a Major Intermediate in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Corrosion of Iron. mBio 2023; 14:e0007623. [PMID: 36786581 PMCID: PMC10127678 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00076-23] [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: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Desulfovibrio vulgaris has been a primary pure culture sulfate reducer for developing microbial corrosion concepts. Multiple mechanisms for how it accepts electrons from Fe0 have been proposed. We investigated Fe0 oxidation with a mutant of D. vulgaris in which hydrogenase genes were deleted. The hydrogenase mutant grew as well as the parental strain with lactate as the electron donor, but unlike the parental strain, it was not able to grow on H2. The parental strain reduced sulfate with Fe0 as the sole electron donor, but the hydrogenase mutant did not. H2 accumulated over time in Fe0 cultures of the hydrogenase mutant and sterile controls but not in parental strain cultures. Sulfide stimulated H2 production in uninoculated controls apparently by both reacting with Fe0 to generate H2 and facilitating electron transfer from Fe0 to H+. Parental strain supernatants did not accelerate H2 production from Fe0, ruling out a role for extracellular hydrogenases. Previously proposed electron transfer between Fe0 and D. vulgaris via soluble electron shuttles was not evident. The hydrogenase mutant did not reduce sulfate in the presence of Fe0 and either riboflavin or anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate, and these potential electron shuttles did not stimulate parental strain sulfate reduction with Fe0 as the electron donor. The results demonstrate that D. vulgaris primarily accepts electrons from Fe0 via H2 as an intermediary electron carrier. These findings clarify the interpretation of previous D. vulgaris corrosion studies and suggest that H2-mediated electron transfer is an important mechanism for iron corrosion under sulfate-reducing conditions. IMPORTANCE Microbial corrosion of iron in the presence of sulfate-reducing microorganisms is economically significant. There is substantial debate over how microbes accelerate iron corrosion. Tools for genetic manipulation have only been developed for a few Fe(III)-reducing and methanogenic microorganisms known to corrode iron and in each case those microbes were found to accept electrons from Fe0 via direct electron transfer. However, iron corrosion is often most intense in the presence of sulfate-reducing microbes. The finding that Desulfovibrio vulgaris relies on H2 to shuttle electrons between Fe0 and cells revives the concept, developed in some of the earliest studies on microbial corrosion, that sulfate reducers consumption of H2 is a major microbial corrosion mechanism. The results further emphasize that direct Fe0-to-microbe electron transfer has yet to be rigorously demonstrated in sulfate-reducing microbes.
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Wang Y, Ren S, Wang P, Wang B, Hu K, Li J, Wang Y, Li Z, Li S, Li W, Peng Y. Autotrophic denitrification using Fe(II) as an electron donor: A novel prospective denitrification process. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159721. [PMID: 36306837 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As a newly identified nitrogen loss pathway, the nitrate-dependent ferrous oxidation (NDFO) process is emerging as a research hotspot in the field of low carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) wastewater treatment. This review article provides an overview of the NDFO process and summarizes the functional microorganisms associated with NDFO from different perspectives. The potential mechanisms by which external factors such as influent pH, influent Fe(II)/N (mol), organic carbon, and chelating agents affect NDFO performance are also thoroughly discussed. As the electron-transfer mechanism of the NDFO process is still largely unknown, the extensive chemical Fe(II)-oxidizing nitrite-reducing pathway (NDFOchem) of the NDFO process is described here, and the potential enzymatic electron transfer mechanisms involved are summarized. On this basis, a three-stage electron transfer pathway applicable to low C/N wastewater is proposed. Furthermore, the impact of Fe(III) mineral products on the NDFO process is revisited, and existing crusting prevention strategies are summarized. Finally, future challenges facing the NDFO process and new research directions are discussed, with the aim of further promoting the development and application of the NDFO process in the field of nitrogen removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Wang
- College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Shuang Ren
- College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Peng Wang
- College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Bo Wang
- School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China
| | - Kaiyao Hu
- College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jie Li
- College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China; Gansu membrane science and technology research institute Co.,Ltd., Lanzhou 730020, China; Key Laboratory for Resources Utilization Technology of Unconventional Water of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730020, China
| | - Yae Wang
- College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Zongxing Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecohydrology of Inland River Basin/Gansu Qilian Mountains Ecology Research Center, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Sumei Li
- College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Wang Li
- Taiyuan university of technology, Taiyuan 030024, China; State Key Laboratory of Clean and Efficient Coal Utilization, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Yuzhuo Peng
- College of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China
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Hou R, Lu S, Chen S, Dou W, Liu G. The corrosion of 316L stainless steel induced by methanocossus mariplaudis through indirect electron transfer in seawater. Bioelectrochemistry 2023; 149:108310. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2022.108310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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Jia B, Liu T, Wan J, Ivanets A, Xiang Y, Zhang L, Su X. Enhancing the extracellular electron transfer ability via Polydopamine@S. oneidensis MR-1 for Cr(VI) reduction. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 217:114914. [PMID: 36427635 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microbial reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) shows better efficiency and cost-effectiveness. However, immobilization of Cr (III) remains a challenge as there is a limited supply of electron donors. A greener and cleaner option for donating external electrons was using bioelectrochemical systems to perform the microbial reduction of Cr(VI). In this system, we constructed a polydopamine (PDA) decorated Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 (S. oneidensis MR-1) bioelectrode with bidirectional electron transport, abbreviated as PDA@S. oneidensis MR-1. The conjugated PDA distributed on the intracellular and extracellular of individual S. oneidensis MR-1 has been shown to accelerate electron transfer by outer membrane C-type cytochromes and flavin-bound MtrC/OmcA pathway by various electrochemical analyses. As expected, the PDA@S. oneidensis MR-1 biofilm achieved 88.1% Cr (VI) removal efficiency (RE) and 58.1% Cr (III) immobilization efficiency (IE) within 24 h under the autotrophic conditions at the optimal voltage (-150 mV) compared with the control potential (0 mV). The PDA@S. oneidensis MR-1 biofilm showed increased RE activity was attributed to the shortening of the distance between individual bacteria by PDA. This research provides a viable strategy for in situ bioremediation of Cr(VI) polluted aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyu Jia
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, PR China
| | - Tianbao Liu
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, PR China
| | - Juanjuan Wan
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, PR China
| | - Andrei Ivanets
- Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Surganova St., 9/1, 220072, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Yujia Xiang
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, PR China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, PR China; SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Xintai Su
- School of Environment and Energy, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, PR China
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31
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Zhao T, Xie B, Yi Y, Zang Y, Liu H. Two polarity reversal modes lead to different nitrate reduction pathways in bioelectrochemical systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 856:159185. [PMID: 36202359 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159185] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Polarity reversal is one of the effective strategies to rapidly start up denitrifying BESs,but the long-term performances of the denitrifying BESs operated under polarity reversal receive little attention. This study investigated the effects of periodic polarity reversal (PPR) and polarity reversal once only (PRO) on the long-term performances of denitrifying BESs. Repeatable oxidative and reductive currents were observed in the BESs obtained by PPR (PPR-BESs). The peak reductive currents of the PPR-BESs reached 0.95 A/m2, and nitrate was mainly removed by dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium pathway with removal rates higher than 95 %. In contrast, the peak reductive currents of the BESs obtained by PRO (PRO-BESs) progressively decreased from 1.01 A/m2 to 0.12 A/m2. The nitrate removal rates of the PRO-BESs were <50 %, and the product of nitrate reduction turned to N2 instead of ammonium. 16S rDNA sequencing and metatranscriptomic analysis revealed that Geobacter capable of bidirectional extracellular electron transfer (EET) and Afipia capable of autotrophic growth were the dominant genera in the two types of BESs. Outer membrane cytochrome c and formate dehydrogenase were potentially involved in the cathodic electron uptake. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the EET mechanisms of electroautotrophic denitrifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhao
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Beizhen Xie
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yue Yi
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yuxuan Zang
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Institute of Environmental Biology and Life Support Technology, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100083, China
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Zhang X, Arbour T, Zhang D, Wei S, Rabaey K. Microbial electrosynthesis of acetate from CO 2 under hypersaline conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 13:100211. [PMID: 36419905 PMCID: PMC9676218 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2022.100211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) enables the bioproduction of multicarbon compounds from CO2 using electricity as the driver. Although high salinity can improve the energetic performance of bioelectrochemical systems, acetogenic processes under elevated salinity are poorly known. Here MES under 35-60 g L-1 salinity was evaluated. Acetate production in two-chamber MES systems at 35 g L-1 salinity (seawater composition) gradually decreased within 60 days, both under -1.2 V cathode potential (vs. Ag/AgCl) and -1.56 A m-2 reductive current. Carbonate precipitation on cathodes (mostly CaCO3) likely declined the production through inhibiting CO2 supply, the direct electrode contact for acetogens and H2 production. Upon decreasing Ca2+ and Mg2+ levels in three-chamber reactors, acetate was stably produced over 137 days along with a low cathode apparent resistance at 1.9 ± 0.6 mΩ m2 and an average production rate at 3.80 ± 0.21 g m-2 d-1. Increasing the salinity step-wise from 35 to 60 g L-1 gave the most efficient acetate production at 40 g L-1 salinity with average rates of acetate production and CO2 consumption at 4.56 ± 3.09 and 7.02 ± 4.75 g m-2 d-1, respectively. The instantaneous coulombic efficiency for VFA averaged 55.1 ± 31.4%. Acetate production dropped at higher salinity likely due to the inhibited CO2 dissolution and acetogenic metabolism. Acetobacterium up to 78% was enriched on cathodes as the main acetogen at 35 g L-1. Under high-salinity selection, 96.5% Acetobacterium dominated on the cathode along with 34.0% Sphaerochaeta in catholyte. This research provides a first proof of concept that MES starting from CO2 reduction can be achieved at elevated salinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tyler Arbour
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Daijun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Shiqiang Wei
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Korneel Rabaey
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Corresponding author. Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology - FBE - Ghent University, Belgium.
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Abadikhah M, Rodriguez MDC, Persson F, Wilén BM, Farewell A, Modin O. Evidence of competition between electrogens shaping electroactive microbial communities in microbial electrolysis cells. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:959211. [PMID: 36590422 PMCID: PMC9800620 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.959211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In single-chamber microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), organic compounds are oxidized at the anode, liberating electrons that are used for hydrogen evolution at the cathode. Microbial communities on the anode and cathode surfaces and in the bulk liquid determine the function of the MEC. The communities are complex, and their assembly processes are poorly understood. We investigated MEC performance and community composition in nine MECs with a carbon cloth anode and a cathode of carbon nanoparticles, titanium, or stainless steel. Differences in lag time during the startup of replicate MECs suggested that the initial colonization by electrogenic bacteria was stochastic. A network analysis revealed negative correlations between different putatively electrogenic Deltaproteobacteria on the anode. Proximity to the conductive anode surface is important for electrogens, so the competition for space could explain the observed negative correlations. The cathode communities were dominated by hydrogen-utilizing taxa such as Methanobacterium and had a much lower proportion of negative correlations than the anodes. This could be explained by the diffusion of hydrogen throughout the cathode biofilms, reducing the need to compete for space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Abadikhah
- Division of Water Environment Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden,*Correspondence: Marie Abadikhah, ✉
| | - Miguel de Celis Rodriguez
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Frank Persson
- Division of Water Environment Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Britt-Marie Wilén
- Division of Water Environment Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anne Farewell
- Institute of Chemistry and Molecular Biology and the Center for Antibiotic Resistance Research, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Oskar Modin
- Division of Water Environment Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Holmes DE, Tang H, Woodard T, Liang D, Zhou J, Liu X, Lovley DR. Cytochrome-mediated direct electron uptake from metallic iron by Methanosarcina acetivorans. MLIFE 2022; 1:443-447. [PMID: 38818487 PMCID: PMC10989991 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Methane-producing microorganisms accelerate the corrosion of iron-containing metals. Previous studies have inferred that some methanogens might directly accept electrons from Fe(0), but when this possibility was more intensively investigated, H2 was shown to be an intermediary electron carrier between Fe(0) and methanogens. Here, we report that Methanosarcina acetivorans catalyzes direct metal-to-microbe electron transfer to support methane production. Deletion of the gene for the multiheme, outer-surface c-type cytochrome MmcA eliminated methane production from Fe(0), consistent with the key role of MmcA in other forms of extracellular electron exchange. These findings, coupled with the previous demonstration that outer-surface c-type cytochromes are also electrical contacts for electron uptake from Fe(0) by Geobacter and Shewanella species, suggest that the presence of multiheme c-type cytochromes on corrosion surfaces might be diagnostic for direct metal-to-microbe electron transfer and that interfering with cytochrome function might be a strategy to mitigate corrosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn E. Holmes
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Physical and Biological ScienceWestern New England UniversitySpringfieldMassachusettsUSA
| | - Haiyan Tang
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab of Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Solid Organic Wastes, Educational Ministry Engineering Center of Resource‐saving FertilizersNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Trevor Woodard
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
| | - Dandan Liang
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Present address:
State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of EnvironmentHarbin Institute of TechnologyHarbinChina
| | - Jinjie Zhou
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Present address:
Institute for Advanced StudyShenzhen UniversityShenzhenGuangdongChina
| | - Xinying Liu
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
- Present address:
College of Environmental Science and EngineeringBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of Massachusetts‐AmherstAmherstMassachusettsUSA
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35
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Li J, Akinyemi TS, Shao N, Chen C, Dong X, Liu Y, Whitman WB. Genetic and Metabolic Engineering of Methanococcus spp. CURRENT RESEARCH IN BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.crbiot.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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Spietz RL, Payne D, Szilagyi R, Boyd ES. Reductive biomining of pyrite by methanogens. Trends Microbiol 2022; 30:1072-1083. [PMID: 35624031 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Pyrite (FeS2) is the most abundant iron sulfide mineral in Earth's crust. Until recently, FeS2 has been considered a sink for iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) at low temperature in the absence of oxygen or oxidative weathering, making these elements unavailable to biology. However, anaerobic methanogens can transfer electrons extracellularly to reduce FeS2 via direct contact with the mineral. Reduction of FeS2 occurs through a multistep process that generates aqueous sulfide (HS-) and FeS2-associated pyrrhotite (Fe1-xS). Subsequent dissolution of Fe1-xS provides Fe(II)(aq), but not HS-, that rapidly complexes with HS-(aq) generated from FeS2 reduction to form soluble iron sulfur clusters [nFeS(aq)]. Cells assimilate nFeS(aq) to meet Fe/S nutritional demands by mobilizing and hyperaccumulating Fe and S from FeS2. As such, reductive dissolution of FeS2 by methanogens has important implications for element cycling in anoxic habitats, both today and in the geologic past.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Spietz
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Devon Payne
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Robert Szilagyi
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia - Okanagan, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Eric S Boyd
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
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Liu Z, Xue X, Cai W, Cui K, Patil SA, Guo K. Recent progress on microbial electrosynthesis reactors and strategies to enhance the reactor performance. Biochem Eng J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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38
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Edel M, Philipp LA, Lapp J, Reiner J, Gescher J. Electron transfer of extremophiles in bioelectrochemical systems. Extremophiles 2022; 26:31. [PMID: 36222927 PMCID: PMC9556394 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-022-01279-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The interaction of bacteria and archaea with electrodes is a relatively new research field which spans from fundamental to applied research and influences interdisciplinary research in the fields of microbiology, biochemistry, biotechnology as well as process engineering. Although a substantial understanding of electron transfer processes between microbes and anodes and between microbes and cathodes has been achieved in mesophilic organisms, the mechanisms used by microbes under extremophilic conditions are still in the early stages of discovery. Here, we review our current knowledge on the biochemical solutions that evolved for the interaction of extremophilic organisms with electrodes. To this end, the available knowledge on pure cultures of extremophilic microorganisms has been compiled and the study has been extended with the help of bioinformatic analyses on the potential distribution of different electron transfer mechanisms in extremophilic microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Edel
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura-Alina Philipp
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jonas Lapp
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Reiner
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Engler-Bunte-Institute, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Johannes Gescher
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany.
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Zhu X, Lei C, Qi J, Zhen G, Lu X, Xu S, Zhang J, Liu H, Zhang X, Wu Z. The role of microbiome in carbon sequestration and environment security during wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 837:155793. [PMID: 35550899 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment is an essential aspect of the earth's sustainable future. However, different wastewater treatment methods are responsible for carbon discharge into the environment, raising environmental risks. Hence, such wastewater treatment methods are required that can minimize carbon release without compromising the treatment quality. Microbiome-based carbon sequestration is a potential method for achieving this goal. Limited studies have been carried out to investigate how microbes can capture and utilize CO2. This review summarizes the approaches including microbial electrolytic carbon capture, microbial electrosynthesis, microbial fuel cell, microalgae cultivation, and constructed wetlands that employ microbes to capture and utilize CO2. Electroactive Bacteria (EAB) convert carbon dioxide to carbonates and bicarbonates in subsequent steps after organic matter decomposition. Similarly, microbial electrosynthesis (MES) not only helps capture carbon but also produces secondary products (production of polyhydroxyalkanoates by Gram-negative rod Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria) of commercial importance during wastewater treatment. In addition to this, microbial carbon capture cells (MCCs) have been now utilized for energy generation and carbon sequestration at the same time during wastewater treatment. Moreover, microalgae cultivation has also been found to capture CO2 at a rapid pace while releasing O2 as a consequence of photosynthesis. Hence, microbe-based wastewater treatment has quite a potential due to two-fold benefits like carbon sequestration and by-product formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Zhu
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China.
| | - Cheng Lei
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Jing Qi
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Guangyin Zhen
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China
| | - Xueqin Lu
- Shanghai Key Lab for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China
| | - Suyun Xu
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China
| | - Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Hongbo Liu
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, PR China.
| | - Xuedong Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China
| | - Zhichao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
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Madjarov J, Soares R, Paquete CM, Louro RO. Sporomusa ovata as Catalyst for Bioelectrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction: A Review Across Disciplines From Microbiology to Process Engineering. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:913311. [PMID: 35801113 PMCID: PMC9253864 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.913311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sporomusa ovata is a bacterium that can accept electrons from cathodes to drive microbial electrosynthesis (MES) of acetate from carbon dioxide. It is the biocatalyst with the highest acetate production rate described. Here we review the research on S. ovata across different disciplines, including microbiology, biochemistry, engineering, and materials science, to summarize and assess the state-of-the-art. The improvement of the biocatalytic capacity of S. ovata in the last 10 years, using different optimization strategies is described and discussed. In addition, we propose possible electron uptake routes derived from genetic and experimental data described in the literature and point out the possibilities to understand and improve the performance of S. ovata through genetic engineering. Finally, we identify current knowledge gaps guiding further research efforts to explore this promising organism for the MES field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Madjarov
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Soares
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Catarina M. Paquete
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ricardo O. Louro
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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Meng L, Feng M, Sun J, Wang R, Qu F, Yang C, Guo W. High-performance free-standing microbial fuel cell anode derived from Chinese date for enhanced electron transfer rates. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 353:127151. [PMID: 35421564 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Traditional anode materials have disadvantages like low specific surface area and poor electrical conductivity. Herein, carbonized Chinese dates (CCD) were synthesized as microbial fuel cells (MFC) anodes. The obtained materials exhibited excellent biocompatibility with fast start-up (within one day) and charge transfer (Rct 4.0 Ω). Their porous structure allows efficient ion transport and microbial community succession, favorable for long-term operation. The biomass analysis shows that CCD anodes can load higher weight of biomass. High-throughput sequencing (16S rRNA) discovered that CCD anode can enrich Geobacter spp., with highest abundance of 73.4%, much higher than carbon felt (CF, 39.2%). Benefit from these properties, the MFC with CCD anodes possess a maximum power density of 12.17 W m-3 (1.62 times of commercial carbon felt). In all, the CCD anode exhibits high performance with low cost and easy fabrication, certificating it a promising candidate for an ideal MFC anode material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Meng
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Biomaterials and Energy Storage Materials, Heilongjiang Province and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Min Feng
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Biomaterials and Energy Storage Materials, Heilongjiang Province and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Jinzhi Sun
- School of Life Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Micro-systems and Micro-structures Manufacturing, Ministry of Education, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Ruiwen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology, Ministry of Education, Material Science and Engineering College, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Fengyu Qu
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Biomaterials and Energy Storage Materials, Heilongjiang Province and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Chunyu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Biomaterials and Energy Storage Materials, Heilongjiang Province and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Photochemical Biomaterials and Energy Storage Materials, Heilongjiang Province and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China.
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Extracellular Polymeric Substances and Biocorrosion/Biofouling: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105566. [PMID: 35628373 PMCID: PMC9143384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial cells secrete extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) to adhere to material surfaces, if they get in contact with solid materials such as metals. After phase equilibrium, microorganisms can adhere firmly to the metal surfaces causing metal dissolution and corrosion. Attachment and adhesion of microorganisms via EPS increase the possibility and the rate of metal corrosion. Many components of EPS are electrochemical and redox active, making them closely related to metal corrosion. Functional groups in EPS have specific adsorption ability, causing them to play a key role in biocorrosion. This review emphasizes EPS properties related to metal corrosion and protection and the underlying microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) mechanisms. Future perspectives regarding a comprehensive study of MIC mechanisms and green methodologies for corrosion protection are provided.
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Spietz RL, Payne D, Kulkarni G, Metcalf WW, Roden EE, Boyd ES. Investigating Abiotic and Biotic Mechanisms of Pyrite Reduction. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:878387. [PMID: 35615515 PMCID: PMC9124975 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.878387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrite (FeS2) has a very low solubility and therefore has historically been considered a sink for iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) and unavailable to biology in the absence of oxygen and oxidative weathering. Anaerobic methanogens were recently shown to reduce FeS2 and assimilate Fe and S reduction products to meet nutrient demands. However, the mechanism of FeS2 mineral reduction and the forms of Fe and S assimilated by methanogens remained unclear. Thermodynamic calculations described herein indicate that H2 at aqueous concentrations as low as 10-10 M favors the reduction of FeS2, with sulfide (HS-) and pyrrhotite (Fe1- x S) as products; abiotic laboratory experiments confirmed the reduction of FeS2 with dissolved H2 concentrations greater than 1.98 × 10-4 M H2. Growth studies of Methanosarcina barkeri provided with FeS2 as the sole source of Fe and S resulted in H2 production but at concentrations too low to drive abiotic FeS2 reduction, based on abiotic laboratory experimental data. A strain of M. barkeri with deletions in all [NiFe]-hydrogenases maintained the ability to reduce FeS2 during growth, providing further evidence that extracellular electron transport (EET) to FeS2 does not involve H2 or [NiFe]-hydrogenases. Physical contact between cells and FeS2 was required for mineral reduction but was not required to obtain Fe and S from dissolution products. The addition of a synthetic electron shuttle, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate, allowed for biological reduction of FeS2 when physical contact between cells and FeS2 was prohibited, indicating that exogenous electron shuttles can mediate FeS2 reduction. Transcriptomics experiments revealed upregulation of several cytoplasmic oxidoreductases during growth of M. barkeri on FeS2, which may indicate involvement in provisioning low potential electrons for EET to FeS2. Collectively, the data presented herein indicate that reduction of insoluble FeS2 by M. barkeri occurred via electron transfer from the cell surface to the mineral surface resulting in the generation of soluble HS- and mineral-associated Fe1- x S. Solubilized Fe(II), but not HS-, from mineral-associated Fe1- x S reacts with aqueous HS- yielding aqueous iron sulfur clusters (FeS aq ) that likely serve as the Fe and S source for methanogen growth and activity. FeS aq nucleation and subsequent precipitation on the surface of cells may result in accelerated EET to FeS2, resulting in positive feedback between cell activity and FeS2 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Spietz
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Devon Payne
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | - Gargi Kulkarni
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - William W. Metcalf
- Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Eric E. Roden
- Department of Geosciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Eric S. Boyd
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
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44
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Conners EM, Rengasamy K, Bose A. "Electroactive biofilms: how microbial electron transfer enables bioelectrochemical applications". J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 49:6563884. [PMID: 35381088 PMCID: PMC9338886 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Microbial biofilms are ubiquitous. In marine and freshwater ecosystems, microbe–mineral interactions sustain biogeochemical cycles, while biofilms found on plants and animals can range from pathogens to commensals. Moreover, biofouling and biocorrosion represent significant challenges to industry. Bioprocessing is an opportunity to take advantage of biofilms and harness their utility as a chassis for biocommodity production. Electrochemical bioreactors have numerous potential applications, including wastewater treatment and commodity production. The literature examining these applications has demonstrated that the cell–surface interface is vital to facilitating these processes. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the state of knowledge regarding biofilms’ role in bioprocessing. This mini-review discusses bacterial biofilm formation, cell–surface redox interactions, and the role of microbial electron transfer in bioprocesses. It also highlights some current goals and challenges with respect to microbe-mediated bioprocessing and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Conners
- Department of Biology. One Brookings Drive, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, 63105, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Rengasamy
- Department of Biology. One Brookings Drive, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, 63105, USA
| | - Arpita Bose
- Department of Biology. One Brookings Drive, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, 63105, USA
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Virdis B, Hoelzle R, Marchetti A, Boto ST, Rosenbaum MA, Blasco-Gómez R, Puig S, Freguia S, Villano M. Electro-fermentation: Sustainable bioproductions steered by electricity. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 59:107950. [PMID: 35364226 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The market of biobased products obtainable via fermentation processes is steadily increasing over the past few years, driven by the need to create a decarbonized economy. To date, industrial fermentation (IF) employs either pure or mixed microbial cultures (MMC) whereby the type of the microbial catalysts and the used feedstock affect metabolic pathways and, in turn, the type of product(s) generated. In many cases, especially when dealing with MMC, the economic viability of IF is hindered by factors such as the low attained product titer and selectivity, which ultimately challenge the downstream recovery and purification steps. In this context, electro-fermentation (EF) represents an innovative approach, based on the use of a polarized electrode interface to trigger changes in the rate, yield, titer or product distribution deriving from traditional fermentation processes. In principle, the electrode in EF can act as an electron acceptor (i.e., anodic electro-fermentation, AEF) or donor (i.e., cathodic electro-fermentation, CEF), or simply as a mean to control the oxidation-reduction potential of the fermentation broth. However, the molecular and biochemical basis underlying the EF process are still largely unknown. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of recent literature studies including both AEF and CEF examples with either pure or mixed microbial cultures. A critical analysis of biochemical, microbiological, and engineering aspects which presently hamper the transition of the EF technology from the laboratory to the market is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardino Virdis
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Robert Hoelzle
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Angela Marchetti
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Santiago T Boto
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University (FSU), 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll-Institute (HKI), 07745 Jena, Germany; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University (FSU), 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Ramiro Blasco-Gómez
- LEQUIA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUIA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Stefano Freguia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Marianna Villano
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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Vassilev I, Dessì P, Puig S, Kokko M. Cathodic biofilms - A prerequisite for microbial electrosynthesis. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 348:126788. [PMID: 35104648 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Cathodic biofilms have an important role in CO2 bio-reduction to carboxylic acids and biofuels in microbial electrosynthesis (MES) cells. However, robust and resilient electroactive biofilms for an efficient CO2 conversion are difficult to achieve. In this review, the fundamentals of cathodic biofilm formation, including energy conservation, electron transfer and development of catalytic biofilms, are presented. In addition, strategies for improving cathodic biofilm formation, such as the selection of electrode and carrier materials, cell design and operational conditions, are described. The knowledge gaps are individuated, and possible solutions are proposed to achieve stable and productive biofilms in MES cathodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Vassilev
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu 8, 33720, Tampere, Finland
| | - Paolo Dessì
- School of Chemistry and Energy Research Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUIA. Institute of Environment. University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Marika Kokko
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Korkeakoulunkatu 8, 33720, Tampere, Finland.
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47
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Paquete CM, Rosenbaum MA, Bañeras L, Rotaru AE, Puig S. Let's chat: Communication between electroactive microorganisms. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 347:126705. [PMID: 35065228 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electroactive microorganisms can exchange electrons with other cells or conductive interfaces in their extracellular environment. This property opens the way to a broad range of practical biotechnological applications, from manufacturing sustainable chemicals via electrosynthesis, to bioenergy, bioelectronics or improved, low-energy demanding wastewater treatments. Besides, electroactive microorganisms play key roles in environmental bioremediation, significantly impacting process efficiencies. This review highlights our present knowledge on microbial interactions promoting the communication between electroactive microorganisms in a biofilm on an electrode in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). Furthermore, the immediate knowledge gaps that must be closed to develop novel technologies will also be acknowledged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina M Paquete
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, Jena, Germany; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Lluís Bañeras
- Group of Molecular Microbial Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 40, E-17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Amelia-Elena Rotaru
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurelia Capmany, 69, E-17003 Girona, Spain.
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48
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Aryal N, Zhang Y, Bajracharya S, Pant D, Chen X. Microbial electrochemical approaches of carbon dioxide utilization for biogas upgrading. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:132843. [PMID: 34767847 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical approach is an emerging technology for biogas upgrading through carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction and biomethane (or value-added products) production. There is limited literature critically reviewing the latest scientific developments on the bioelectrochemical system (BES) based biogas upgrading technologies, including CO2 reduction efficiency, methane (CH4) yields, reactor operating conditions, and electrode materials tested in the BES reactor. This review analyzes the reported performance and identifies crucial parameters considered for future optimization, which is currently missing. Further, the performances of BES approach of biogas upgrading under various operating settings in particular fed-batch, continuous mode in connection to the microbial dynamics and cathode materials have been thoroughly scrutinized and discussed. Additionally, other versatile application options associated with BES based biogas upgrading, such as resource recovery, are presented. Three-dimensional electrode materials have shown superior performance in supplying the electrons for the reduction of CO2 to CH4. Most of the studies on the biogas upgrading process conclude hydrogen (H2) mediated electron transfer mechanism in BES biogas upgrading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabin Aryal
- Department of Microsystems, University of South-Eastern Norway, Borre, Norway.
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Suman Bajracharya
- Biochemical Process Engineering Department, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
| | - Deepak Pant
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol, 2400, Belgium
| | - Xuyuan Chen
- Department of Microsystems, University of South-Eastern Norway, Borre, Norway
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49
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Ueki T, Lovley DR. Desulfovibrio vulgaris as a model microbe for the study of corrosion under sulfate-reducing conditions. MLIFE 2022; 1:13-20. [PMID: 38818327 PMCID: PMC10989807 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Corrosion of iron-containing metals under sulfate-reducing conditions is an economically important problem. Microbial strains now known as Desulfovibrio vulgaris served as the model microbes in many of the foundational studies that developed existing models for the corrosion of iron-containing metals under sulfate-reducing conditions. Proposed mechanisms for corrosion by D. vulgaris include: (1) H2 consumption to accelerate the oxidation of Fe0 coupled to the reduction of protons to H2; (2) production of sulfide that combines with ferrous iron to form iron sulfide coatings that promote H2 production; (3) moribund cells release hydrogenases that catalyze Fe0 oxidation with the production of H2; (4) direct electron transfer from Fe0 to cells; and (5) flavins serving as an electron shuttle for electron transfer between Fe0 and cells. The demonstrated possibility of conducting transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of cells growing on metal surfaces suggests that similar studies on D. vulgaris corrosion biofilms can aid in identifying proteins that play an important role in corrosion. Tools for making targeted gene deletions in D. vulgaris are available for functional genetic studies. These approaches, coupled with instrumentation for the detection of low concentrations of H2, and proven techniques for evaluating putative electron shuttle function, are expected to make it possible to determine which of the proposed mechanisms for D. vulgaris corrosion are most important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiyuki Ueki
- Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials, Ministry of Education, Electrobiomaterials InstituteNortheastern UniversityShenyangChina
| | - Derek R. Lovley
- Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials, Ministry of Education, Electrobiomaterials InstituteNortheastern UniversityShenyangChina
- Department of Microbiology University of MassachusettsAmherstMAUSA
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Lovley DR. Electrotrophy: Other microbial species, iron, and electrodes as electron donors for microbial respirations. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 345:126553. [PMID: 34906705 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electrotrophy, the growth of microbes on extracellular electron donors, drives important biogeochemical cycles and has practical applications. Studies of Fe(II)-based electrotrophy have provided foundational cytochrome-based mechanistic models for electron transport into cells. Direct electron uptake from other microbial species, Fe(0), or cathodes is of intense interest due to its potential roles in the production and anaerobic oxidation of methane, corrosion, and bioelectrochemical technologies. Other cells or Fe(0) can serve as the sole electron donor supporting the growth of several Geobacter and methanogen strains that are unable to use H2 as an electron donor, providing strong evidence for electrotrophy. Additional evidence for electrotrophy in Geobacter strains and Methanosarcina acetivorans is a requirement for outer-surface c-type cytochromes. However, in most instances claims for electrotrophy in anaerobes are based on indirect inference and the possibility that H2 is actually the electron donor supporting growth has not been rigorously excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek R Lovley
- Electrobiomaterials Institute, Key Laboratory for Anisotropy and Texture of Materials (Ministry of Education), Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China; Department of Microbiology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA.
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