Assessment of Rhizobium anhuiense Bacteria as a Potential Biocatalyst for Microbial Biofuel Cell Design

The development of microbial fuel cells based on electro-catalytic processes is among the novel topics, which are recently emerging in the sustainable development of energetic systems. Microbial fuel cells have emerged as unique biocatalytic systems, which transform the chemical energy accumulated in renewable organic fuels and at the same time reduce pollution from hazardous organic compounds. However, not all microorganisms involved in metabolic/catalytic processes generate sufficient redox potential. In this research, we have assessed the applicability of the microorganism Rhizobium anhuiense as a catalyst suitable for the design of microbial fuel cells. To improve the charge transfer, several redox mediators were tested, namely menadione, riboflavin, and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (PQ). The best performance was determined for a Rhizobium anhuiense-based bio-anode mediated by menadione with a 0.385 mV open circuit potential and 5.5 mu W/cm(2) maximal power density at 0.35 mV, which generated 50 mu A/cm(2) anode current at the same potential.

Automated summary

The development of microbial fuel cells based on electro-catalytic processes is a new and sustainable approach to energy systems. Microbial fuel cells use microorganisms to transform chemical energy from renewable organic fuels and reduce pollution. However, not all microorganisms can generate sufficient energy. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using Rhizobium anhuiense as a catalyst for microbial fuel cells and found that using menadione as a mediator resulted in the best performance with an open circuit potential of 0.385 mV, maximal power density of 5.5 mu W/cm(2), and anode current of 50 mu A/cm(2) at 0.35 mV.