Long-term in situ bioelectrochemical monitoring of biohythane process: Metabolic interactions and microbial evolution

Microbial stability and evolution are a critical aspect for biosensors, especially in detecting dynamic and emerging anaerobic biohythane production. In this study, two upflow air?cathode chamber microbial fuel cells (UMFCs) were developed for in situ monitoring of the biohydrogen and biomethane reactors under a COD range of 1000?6000 mg/L and 150?1000 mg/L, respectively. Illumina MiSeq sequencing evidenced the dramatic shift of dominant microbial communities in UMFCs from hydrolytic and acidification bacteria (Clostridiaceae_1, Ruminococcaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae) to acetate-oxidizing bacteria (Synergistaceae, Dysgonomonadaceae, Spirochaetaceae). In addition, exoelectroactive bacteria evaluated from Enterobacteriaceae and Burkholderiaceae to Desulfovibrionaceae and Propionibacteriaceae. Especially, Hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Methanobacteriaceae) were abundant at 93.41% in UMFC (for monitoring hydrogen reactor), which was speculated to be a major metabolic pathway for methane production. Principal component analysis revealed a similarity in microbial structure between UMFCs and methane bioreactors. Microbial network analysis suggested a more stable community structure of UMFCs with 205 days? operation.

Automated summary

The study developed two upflow air-cathode chamber microbial fuel cells for in situ monitoring of biohydrogen and biomethane reactors. Through Illumina MiSeq sequencing and principal component analysis, it was found that the microbial communities in UMFCs showed a high level of stability with distinct shifts in community structure, emphasizing the importance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens in methane production.