Understanding interactive characteristics of bioelectricity generation and reductive decolorization using Proteus...

Area of Science:

• Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs)
• Bioelectrochemistry
• Wastewater Treatment

Background:

• Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a sustainable approach for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy generation.
• Dye decolorization in industrial effluents is a significant environmental challenge.
• Optimizing microbial consortia for enhanced performance in MFCs is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interactive characteristics of bioelectricity generation and dye decolorization in MFCs.
• To evaluate the role of microbial acclimation on the performance of simultaneous bioelectricity generation and color removal (SBP&CR).
• To explore the potential of reduced dyes as redox mediators.

Main Methods:

• Utilized indigenous Proteus hauseri ZMd44 in air-cathode single-chamber MFCs.
• Employed a 30-day acclimation strategy with gradual C.I. reactive blue 160 supplementation.
• Quantitatively analyzed bioelectricity generation and dye decolorization rates.

Main Results:

• Proteus hauseri demonstrated stable SBP&CR capabilities after acclimation.
• An effective acclimation strategy significantly enhanced SBP&CR performance.
• A faster dye decolorization rate correlated with a decreased bioelectricity generation rate.
• Reduced dyes like 2-aminophenol showed potential as redox mediators.

Conclusions:

• Acclimation of electrochemically active anodic biofilms is critical for MFC performance.
• There is an inverse relationship between dye decolorization rate and bioelectricity generation.
• Exploiting reduced dyes as redox mediators could improve electron transport in MFCs.