Enhancing microbial fuel cell performance through microbial immobilization
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Yana Mersinkova
Abstract
Bio-electrochemical Systems (BES), particularly Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), have emerged as promising technologies in environmental biotechnology. This study focused on optimizing the anode bacterial culture immobilization process to enhance BES performance. The investigation combines and modifies two key immobilization methods: covalent bonding with glutaraldehyde and inclusion in a chitosan gel in order to meet the criteria and requirements of the bio-anodes in MFC. The performance of MFCs with immobilized and suspended cultures was compared in parallel experiments. Both types showed similar substrate utilization dynamics with slight advantage of the immobilized bio-anode considering the lower concentration of biomass. The immobilized MFC exhibited higher power generation and metabolic activity, as well. Probably, this is due to improved anodic respiration and higher coulombic efficiency of the reactor. Analysis of organic acids content supported this conclusion showing significant inhibition of the fermentation products production in the MFC reactor with immobilized anode culture.
Funding source: Operational program “Science and Education for Smart Growth” 2014–2020 of Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Bulgaria under the Clean & Circle project BG05M2OP001-1.002-0019
Funding source: National program “YOUNG SCIENTISTS AND POST-DOCTORAL STUDENTS-2” (NPMUPD-2)
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: The authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Competing interests: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: This work was supported by Operational program “Science and Education for Smart Growth” 2014–2020 of Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Bulgaria under the Clean & Circle project BG05M2OP001-1.002-0019 and National program “YOUNG SCIENTISTS AND POST-DOCTORAL STUDENTS-2” (NPMUPD-2).
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Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Editorial: Chitin structures and pathways as targets for biopesticides and drugs
- Review Articles
- Chitosan in cancer therapy: a dual role as a therapeutic agent and drug delivery system
- Unveiling the potential of chitosan-coated lipid nanoparticles in drug delivery for management of critical illness: a review
- Exploring chitin: novel pathways and structures as promising targets for biopesticides
- Research Articles
- Development of silver-doped copper oxide and chitosan nanocomposites for enhanced antimicrobial activities
- Enhancing microbial fuel cell performance through microbial immobilization
- Controlled delivery of nikkomycin by PEG coated PLGA nanoparticles inhibits chitin synthase to prevent growth of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus
