Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
10:00
Hydrogen Production and Utilization in a Membrane Reactor
Published on: March 10, 2023
2.4K
Hydrogen production using cocaine metabolite in microbial electrolysis cells
Burak Kilinc1, Dilan Akagunduz1, Murat Ozdemir2
1Istanbul Protein Research-Application and Inovation Center (PROMER), Uskudar University, 34662 Uskudar, Istanbul Turkey.
3 Biotech
|November 3, 2023
Summary
Microbial electrolysis cells successfully produced hydrogen gas while removing the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine from wastewater. This demonstrates a dual function for treating contaminated water and generating clean energy.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, is frequently detected in wastewater.
- Wastewater contamination poses environmental and public health challenges.
- Sustainable methods for pollutant removal and resource recovery are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) in degrading benzoylecgonine.
- To assess hydrogen gas production during benzoylecgonine degradation in MECs.
- To evaluate MEC performance using both synthetic and human urine matrices.
Main Methods:
- Microbial electrolysis cells were inoculated with synthetic and human urine containing benzoylecgonine.
- Hydrogen gas production was monitored daily using gas chromatography.
- GC-MS analyzed urine composition changes; pH and optical density were measured spectrophotometrically.
Main Results:
- Hydrogen gas was successfully produced in MECs (approximately 5.5 mL) over 24 days with benzoylecgonine in synthetic urine.
- MECs inoculated with human urine containing benzoylecgonine also yielded hydrogen gas.
- Spectrophotometric analysis indicated changes in metabolite concentration and pH.
Conclusions:
- Microbial electrolysis cells are effective in removing cocaine metabolites from wastewater.
- MECs offer a dual benefit of pollutant remediation and hydrogen gas generation.
- This technology presents a promising approach for sustainable wastewater treatment.
More Related Videos
06:39Author Spotlight: Design and Evaluation of Au-Electroplated Carbon Fiber Cloth Electrodes for Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells
Published on: October 20, 2023
2.9K
06:32A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
19.6K
Related Concept Videos
00:46Bioremediation
18.6K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
18.6K
03:00Electrolysis
26.5K
In a galvanic cell, the electrical work is done by a redox system on its surroundings as electrons produced by the spontaneous redox reactions are transferred through an external circuit. Alternatively, an external circuit does work on a redox system by imposing a voltage sufficient to drive an otherwise nonspontaneous reaction in a process known as electrolysis. For instance, recharging a battery involves the use of an external power source to drive the spontaneous (discharge) cell reaction in...
26.5K
01:15Metabolism of Chemolithotrophs
21
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.
21
03:12Batteries and Fuel Cells
27.5K
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...
27.5K
02:17Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
3.3K
Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a transition-metal catalyzed reduction of the double bond using molecular hydrogen to give alkanes. The mode of hydrogen addition follows syn stereochemistry.
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
3.3K
01:28Carbon-dioxide Fixation
19
Carbon dioxide fixation in prokaryotes enables the assimilation of inorganic carbon into organic molecules, supporting biosynthetic pathways, sustaining ecosystems, and contributing to the global carbon cycle. It also has industrial applications in carbon capture and bioproduct synthesis. Autotrophic organisms rely on this process to utilize CO₂ as a carbon source in diverse environments.The Calvin CycleThe Calvin cycle is the most widespread carbon fixation mechanism, primarily used by...
19