Review
Agricultural Engineering
Md Tabish Noori, Dayakar Thatikayala, Deepak Pant, Booki Min
Summary: The implicit interaction between electroactive microbes and solid electrodes plays an important role in bioelectrochemical systems, especially in the development of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for converting low-value waste streams into bioelectricity. The metabolism of interacted microbes with electrodes is influenced by the microenvironment at the electrodes, which in turn affects the current response. This phenomenon has been extensively studied and utilized for selectively detecting heavy metal ions (HMIs) using MFCs.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marcelinus Christwardana, Linda Aliffia Yoshi, Indraprasta Setyonadi, Mohammad Rizqi Maulana, Ahmad Fudholi
Summary: Yeast microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were used as biosensors for in-situ monitoring of dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in environmental waters, showing promising prospects for future monitoring in various areas.
ENZYME AND MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sabine Spiess, Jiri Kucera, Hathaichanok Seelajaroen, Amaia Sasiain, Sophie Thallner, Klemens Kremser, David Novak, Georg M. Guebitz, Marianne Haberbauer
Summary: This study investigates the impact of electrode pretreatments on microbial enrichment and composition in bioelectrochemical systems. The results show that electrode pretreatments influence microbial diversity, leading to the enrichment of specific electroactive genera, which in turn affects the system's performance.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shasha Yang, Nan Xiao, Jingshu Wang, Beichen Zhang, Jinhui Jeanne Huang
Summary: This study designs and establishes a self-powered miniature single-chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) reactor for detecting copper ions in water. The study finds that copper ions have inhibitory effects on the biofilm activity of the microbial fuel cell at trace concentration range, while they are involved in chemical reactions that promote electron transfer at high concentration range.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nhlanganiso Ivan Madondo, Sudesh Rathilal, Babatunde Femi Bakare, Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh
Summary: A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is used in wastewater treatment to generate electrical energy through microbial activity. This study evaluated the effect of electrode spacing on MFC performance. The results showed that MFC performance improved when the electrode spacing increased from 2.0 cm to 6.0 cm, but decreased after 6.0 cm. Therefore, electrode spacing is a factor that affects MFC performance, with 6.0 cm spacing showing the greatest potential for biogas generation and wastewater degradation.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Xunan Yang, Shanshan Chen
Summary: Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are devices that harvest electrical energy from sediments rich in organic matter. The microorganisms play a crucial role in SMFCs, making them important for research on their functions and applications.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Tukendra Kumar, Sweta Naik, Satya Eswari Jujjavarappu
Summary: This review highlights the application and performance optimization of microbial fuel cell (MFC) sensors in water quality detection. It also discusses the techno-economic prospects, challenges, limitations, and future directions of MFC-based sensors.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jianwei Zhang, Hao Ren, Suren Jayasuriya, Xiao-Jun Tian, Junseok Chae
Summary: This study reports a biological memory effect (BME) in microbial fuel cell (MFC) biosensors, where the response to toxin injections weakens over repeated stimuli. An ordinary differential equation (ODE) model is established and successfully simulates the BME, showing good predictive ability.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nishat Khan, Abdul Hakeem Anwer, Saima Sultana, Alex Ibhadon, Mohammad Zain Khan
Summary: This study investigated the application of microbial fuel cells in treating wastewater contaminated with textile dyes. The results showed that the performance of microbial fuel cells was directly affected by the addition of toxicants, and microbial fuel cells demonstrated potential as toxicity detectors. Additionally, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the bioactivity of microbial fuel cells and the presence of biofouling.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yini Chen, Fan Zhao, Yu Pu, Xiangyu Lin, Haoran Yin, Xinhua Tang
Summary: A porous carbon monolith derived from wax gourd (WGCM) was prepared by freeze-drying and carbonization, and then coated with nano-Fe3O4 to obtain the nano-Fe3O4/WGCM anode. The WGCM anode increased the maximum power density of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), and the nano-Fe3O4/WGCM anode further promoted it. The results demonstrated that the preparation of carbon monolith coated with nano-Fe3O4 was a promising method for anode enhancement in MFCs.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wilgince Apollon
Summary: This article introduces the latest advancements in the design, operation mode, and electricity and fuel production capacity of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). MFCs can generate sustainable energy from wastewater and waste materials, reducing environmental pollution and energy consumption and treatment costs. However, the implementation of MFCs still faces challenges and further efforts are needed to achieve commercial viability.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yamei Ma, Dandan Deng, Yue Zhan, Lianbin Cao, Ying Liu
Summary: This study comprehensively investigated the effect of temperature on the performance of MFC-based biosensors for real-time wastewater BOD monitoring. The results showed that temperature influenced the linear range, response time, and detection accuracy of the biosensors, as well as the composition of the anodic microbial community.
BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Na Chu, Jiayi Cai, Zhigang Li, Yu Gao, Qinjun Liang, Wen Hao, Panpan Liu, Yong Jiang, Raymond Jianxiong Zeng
Summary: This study fabricated microbial electrochemical sensors with interdigitated electrode arrays and found that only the peak of cyclic voltammetry was highly linearly correlated with the commonly used current indicator, while the resistance from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy provided a comparable or even higher inhibition ratio. Differential pulse voltammetry did not exhibit a higher sensitivity compared to cyclic voltammetry peak. Real-time impedance analysis did not show a clear response for water biotoxicity monitoring.
Article
Ecology
Ademola Adekunle, Carrie Rickwood, Boris Tartakovsky
Summary: Real-time biomonitoring using microbial fuel cell (MFC) based biosensors has been demonstrated in laboratory studies, with this study showing the long-term performance of an MFC based biosensor developed for monitoring metal-contaminated stream water quality in the field. The biosensors were able to detect temporal changes in water quality over a 2-month period, despite uncontrolled field conditions. The results suggest that the biosensor could effectively detect changes in overall water quality, even in field operations with potential challenges.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Priyakant Pushkar, Arvind Kumar Mungray
Summary: The study showed that sediment height, anode size, and chamber volume can impact the diffusion impedance and power density in benthic microbial fuel cells (BMFCs), suggesting practical implications for improving energy generation efficiency. Microbial consortia were found to play a crucial role in mass transport phenomena and electrochemical diffusion in BMFCs.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS
(2021)
Review
Electrochemistry
Rui Gao, Suanny Mosquera-Romero, Eleftheria Ntagia, Xiaofei Wang, Korneel Rabaey, Luiza Bonin
Summary: Electrochemical technologies offer the possibility of simultaneous removal of persistent pollutants and resource recovery from wastewater, with the advantages of low chemical input, cost-effectiveness, and reduced water consumption. Key challenges include material cost and longevity, process efficiency and selectivity, and the complexity of wastewater matrices.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pieter Ostermeyer, Luiza Bonin, Luis Fernando Leon-Fernandez, Xochitl Dominguez-Benetton, Tom Hennebel, Korneel Rabaey
Summary: The text discusses the development of biological treatment for metallurgical wastewaters, highlighting the drawbacks of passive and active treatment systems and the advantages of electrified biological systems. It also addresses the challenges faced by bioelectrochemical systems in high rate applications and emphasizes the importance of future research focusing on the development and effectiveness of electrified bioreactors.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Pamela Ceron-Chafla, Cristina Garcia-Timermans, Jo de Vrieze, Ramon Ganigue, Nico Boon, Korneel Rabaey, Jules B. van Lier, Ralph E. F. Lindeboom
Summary: Fermentation at elevated hydrostatic pressure can alter product selectivity, and the relationship between incubation temperature and halotolerance plays a key role in microbial responses to high pressure. Moderate temperatures do not limit biomass yield and fermentation, while low and high temperatures impose constraints on growth and product formation.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Manel Garrido-Baserba, Irene Barnosell, Maria Molinos-Senante, David L. Sedlak, Korneel Rabaey, Oliver Schraa, Marta Verdaguer, Diego Rosso, Manel Poch
Summary: Water systems need to become more locally robust and sustainable. Decentralized treatment has the potential to improve the technical, environmental, and economic performance. Assessments on various building types demonstrate that decentralized systems can satisfy water demand and reduce construction costs under certain climatic conditions.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
L. Van Peteghem, M. Sakarika, S. Matassa, K. Rabaey
Summary: The global demand for protein is rapidly increasing and requires sustainable production strategies. Utilizing bioethanol as a resource for microbial protein production offers a more sustainable approach to meeting this demand.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Silvio Matassa, Pascal Boeckx, Jos Boere, Jan Willem Erisman, Miao Guo, Raffaele Manzo, Francis Meerburg, Stefano Papirio, Ilje Pikaar, Korneel Rabaey, Diederik Rousseau, Jerald Schnoor, Peter Smith, Erik Smolders, Stefan Wuertz, Willy Verstraete
Summary: Nitrogen is crucial for the production of nutritious feeds and foods, but the production and use of fertilizer nitrogen pose a major threat to environmental health and sustainability. It is important to promote consumer acceptance and awareness of proteins produced by highly effective microorganisms as an alternative to proteins obtained from plants and animals with low nitrogen efficiencies. Additionally, recovering and upgrading used nitrogen from secondary resources and integrating biological nitrogen fixation into feed and food supply chains are promising solutions for a more sustainable agriculture.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
L. Van Peteghem, M. Sakarika, S. Matassa, K. Rabaey
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eleni Stylianou, Jose M. Carvajal-Arroyo, Dimitrios Ladakis, Carol Sze Ki Lin, Vera Essmann, Sebastin Dorr, Jakob Marbach, Korneel Rabaey, Apostolis Koutinas, Chrysanthi Pateraki
Summary: A novel electrochemical membrane bioreactor (EMB) integrating succinic acid (SA) production and in situ separation was used with hydrolysates from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) as feedstock. The fermentation process was optimized to achieve high SA productivity and efficiency, and the SA crystals were successfully purified for further applications. Scale-up of the process was influenced by yeast cell viability, cell design, and EMB configuration. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential of the EMB system for sustainable SA production and purification.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kai Cui, Kun Guo, Jose M. Carvajal-Arroyo, Jan Arends, Korneel Rabaey
Summary: Currently, most microbial electrosynthesis (MES) reactors are driven by biofilms, whether the cathode electron transfer is direct or indirect. The formation of cathode biofilms is time-consuming, and the current density achieved on these biofilms is relatively low. However, non-biofilm-driven MES faces the challenge of maintaining good Columbic efficiency (CE) at high current densities. In this study, a novel electro-H2 bubble column reactor with an external hollow fiber membrane gas-liquid contactor was developed to address this challenge. The reactor demonstrated efficient conversion of electrolytically-produced H2 and externally-supplied CO2 into acetate, with high acetate production rates and CE.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Seppe Ongena, Arjen Van de Walle, Suanny Mosquera-Romero, Nele Driesen, Leonardo Gutierrez, Korneel Rabaey
Summary: Greywater is a viable source for water reuse at the household or building level, and two treatment approaches, MBR and MBBR, were compared in this study. The results showed that both MBR and MBBR met most water quality requirements for greywater reuse, but MBR had a smaller reactor volume and delayed membrane fouling compared to MBBR. However, neither system allowed adequate nitrogen removal, and MBBR had issues with effluent chemical oxygen demand and turbidity requirements. UV disinfection was more efficient than electrochemical disinfection in the long run. Proposed improvements aim to optimize the performance of both treatment trains and disinfection processes for small-scale greywater treatment for reuse.
Article
Ecology
Pieter Candry, Grayson L. Chadwick, Jose Maria Caravajal-Arroyo, Tim Lacoere, Mari-Karoliina Henriikka Winkler, Ramon Ganigue, Victoria J. Orphan, Korneel Rabaey
Summary: This study investigates the spatial organization and growth activity patterns of granular biofilms producing medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCCA) and reveals that key functional guilds are not stratified. The outer layers of the biofilms consist of Olsenella and Oscillospiraceae, while deeper layers contain less active bacteria. The study also suggests that Oscillospiraceae switch from sugars to lactic acid as a substrate and physical processes may contribute to the lenticular biofilm morphology.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Arjen Van de Walle, Minseok Kim, Md Kawser Alam, Xiaofei Wang, Di Wu, Smruti Ranjan Dash, Korneel Rabaey, Jeonghwan Kim
Summary: Sustainable water management is crucial for ensuring access to safe water and addressing challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and population growth. Greywater, which accounts for 50-80% of daily wastewater generation in households and has low organic strength and high volume, requires separate treatment strategies due to its characteristics. Greywater reuse can enhance the resilience and adaptability of local water systems, reduce transport costs, and achieve fit-for-purpose reuse. Various biological and physicochemical treatment technologies can produce treated water suitable for reuse. Overcoming challenges such as greywater quality variance, legal framework, monitoring and control systems, and consumer perspective is important. The potential water and energy savings and sustainable future of greywater reuse in an urban context are also discussed.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiaoting Zhang, Tyler Arbour, Daijun Zhang, Shiqiang Wei, Korneel Rabaey
Summary: Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) can produce multicarbon compounds from CO₂ using electricity as the energy source. This study assessed MES under 35-60 g/L salinity and found that acetate production decreased over time under high salinity conditions. Carbonate precipitation on cathodes inhibited CO₂ supply, electrode contact, and H₂ production, leading to reduced acetate production. By adjusting the levels of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the reactors, stable acetate production was achieved. The research also highlighted the dominance of Acetobacterium and Sphaerochaeta bacteria in the MES system.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Arjen Van de Walle, Elena Torfs, Dorien Gaublomme, Korneel Rabaey
Summary: This study explores the potential of extreme decentralization in water resource management, proposing key performance indicators through modeling and quantitative assessment, and addressing the issue of contaminant accumulation in circular systems. The findings provide support for the operation and technological decision-making of decentralized household-scale water systems, as well as guidance for future water policy-making.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Pieter Ostermeyer, Josefien Van Landuyt, Luiza Bonin, Karel Folens, Adam Williamson, Tom Hennebel, Korneel Rabaey
Summary: This study successfully treated metallurgical wastewater with high sulfate concentrations using two hydrogenotrophic granular activated carbon expanded bed bioreactors operating at pH 8 ± 0.15. The reactors achieved a high sulfate removal rate of 7.08 g L-1 and a sulfate reduction rate of 27.2 g L-1 d(-1) while effectively removing various metals, nitrates, and sulfates below discharge limits.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)