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Electro-fermentation: Sustainable bioproductions steered by electricity
Bernardino Virdis1, Robert D Hoelzle2, Angela Marchetti3
1Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
Biotechnology Advances
|April 1, 2022
Summary
Electro-fermentation (EF) enhances biobased product yields by using electrodes to modify microbial metabolism. This review explores EF
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Biochemical Engineering
- Microbiology
Background:
- The growing market for biobased products necessitates efficient industrial fermentation (IF).
- Current IF methods using pure or mixed microbial cultures (MMC) face challenges in product titer, selectivity, and downstream processing.
- Electro-fermentation (EF) offers an innovative solution by employing polarized electrodes to influence fermentation outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of electro-fermentation (EF) literature.
- To critically analyze the molecular and biochemical underpinnings of EF.
- To identify barriers hindering the commercialization of EF technology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of anodic electro-fermentation (AEF) and cathodic electro-fermentation (CEF) studies.
- Analysis of studies using pure and mixed microbial cultures.
- Critical evaluation of biochemical, microbiological, and engineering challenges.
Main Results:
- EF, utilizing electrodes as electron donors/acceptors or for redox potential control, can alter fermentation rates, yields, titers, and product distribution.
- Both AEF and CEF have demonstrated potential with various microbial systems.
- Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the fundamental mechanisms driving EF processes.
Conclusions:
- EF is a promising technology for improving biobased chemical production.
- Further research into the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of EF is crucial.
- Addressing engineering and scalability challenges is essential for market transition.
Keywords:
Anodic electro-fermentationBioelectrochemical systemCathodic electro-fermentationElectrode potentialMicrobial electrochemical technologyMixed microbial culturesPure cultureRedox mediatorMore Related Videos
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