Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

1.5K
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
1.5K
Microbes and Methanogenesis01:26

Microbes and Methanogenesis

105
Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...
105
Microbial Fermentation01:23

Microbial Fermentation

1.8K
Fermentation is a crucial anaerobic metabolic process that enables microbes to derive energy from sugar without relying on oxygen or an electron transport chain. This process is fundamental to various biological and industrial applications and is classified based on the metabolic products generated.Role of Pyruvate in FermentationPyruvate and its derivatives serve as key electron acceptors in fermentative pathways. The oxidation of NADH to regenerate NAD+ is essential for the continuation of...
1.8K
Batteries and Fuel Cells03:12

Batteries and Fuel Cells

24.1K
A battery is a galvanic cell that is used as a source of electrical power for specific applications. Modern batteries exist in a multitude of forms to accommodate various applications, from tiny button batteries such as those that power wristwatches to the very large batteries used to supply backup energy to municipal power grids. Some batteries are designed for single-use applications and cannot be recharged (primary cells), while others are based on conveniently reversible cell reactions that...
24.1K
Microbial Nutrition01:28

Microbial Nutrition

2.0K
Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...
2.0K
Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs01:15

Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs

1.3K
Chemolithotrophs are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing inorganic molecules such as hydrogen gas (H₂), ammonia (NH₃), reduced sulfur compounds (H₂S, S²⁻), and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺). Unlike heterotrophic organisms that rely on organic carbon, chemolithotrophs transfer electrons from these inorganic donors to the electron transport chain (ETC), generating a proton motive force (PMF) that drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.
1.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Surface water quality impacts from organic versus conventional agricultural systems.

Journal of environmental quality·2026
Same author

Exploring the role of ergothioneine and mycorrhizal fungi in shaping the wheat soil microbiome.

Environmental microbiome·2026
Same author

Soil iron oxides as geochemical filters in floodplain restorations: Key drivers, dynamics, and links to nutrients and metals.

Journal of environmental management·2026
Same author

Distinct changes in riparian sediment microbial communities with depth and time since dam removal.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Basswood-anode soil microbial fuel cell-based biosensor for self-sustained and wide-ranged heavy metal detection.

Bioresource technology·2026
Same author

Photo-excited extracellular electron transfer of electroactive microorganism triggers RAFT polymerization.

Nature communications·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 6, 2026

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization
11:58

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization

Published on: December 29, 2013

16.3K

Electricity generation by microbial fuel cell using microorganisms as catalyst in cathode.

Jae Kyung Jang1, Jinjun Kan, Orianna Bretschger

  • 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA 90089, USA.

Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
|November 15, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Using a microbial consortium as a biocathode catalyst significantly enhances microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance. This approach improves current, coulomb efficiency, and power density compared to abiotic cathodes, especially under low dissolved oxygen conditions.

More Related Videos

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site
05:29

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site

Published on: July 24, 2018

7.1K
Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms
08:52

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms

Published on: June 1, 2018

8.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization
11:58

Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization

Published on: December 29, 2013

16.3K
Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site
05:29

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site

Published on: July 24, 2018

7.1K
Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms
08:52

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms

Published on: June 1, 2018

8.0K

Area of Science:

  • Electrochemistry
  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • The cathode reaction is a key limiting factor in microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance.
  • Optimizing cathode efficiency is crucial for advancing MFC technology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of using an electron-consuming bacterial consortium as a biocathode catalyst in MFCs.
  • To compare the performance of biotic cathodes with abiotic cathodes.

Main Methods:

  • Microbial fuel cells were operated with biotic (activated sludge) and abiotic cathodes on graphite electrodes.
  • Performance was evaluated under varying dissolved oxygen (DO) levels and with the addition of a respiratory inhibitor (azide).
  • Electron microscopy was used to observe biofilm structures.

Main Results:

  • Biotic cathodes showed increased current (3.0 mA) and higher coulomb efficiency (59.6%) compared to abiotic cathodes (15.6%) after 8 weeks.
  • Biotic cathodes exhibited greater stability under reduced DO supply and showed a current decrease upon azide addition, indicating microbial involvement.
  • Power density was significantly higher for biotic cathodes (430 W/m³ cathode compartment) than abiotic cathodes (257 W/m³ cathode compartment).

Conclusions:

  • Electron-consuming bacterial consortia can serve as effective cathode catalysts in MFCs.
  • Biocathodes improve MFC performance by enhancing the cathode reaction efficiency.
  • The study demonstrates a viable strategy for improving MFC energy output and efficiency.