Interactions among microorganisms functionally active for electron transfer and pollutant degradation in natural...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Microbial consortia offer expanded ecological functions over single strains.
• Electroactive microorganisms (EMs) and degradable microorganisms (DMs) are crucial for bioenergy and pollutant degradation.
• Interactions between microorganisms promote metabolic cooperation, enhancing key processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review types of EMs and DMs and their environmental adaptability.
• To summarize the mechanism of extracellular electron transfer in EMs.
• To evaluate the impact of EM-DM interactions on electricity production and degradation efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on microbial consortia, EMs, and DMs.
• Analysis of mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer.
• Evaluation of interaction effects on bioenergy and pollutant degradation.

Main Results:

• EMs and DMs exhibit diverse environmental adaptations.
• Extracellular electron transfer mechanisms in EMs are elucidated.
• Interactions between EMs and DMs significantly enhance electricity production and pollutant degradation efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Microbial consortia, particularly those with EMs and DMs, improve bioenergy production and organic pollutant degradation.
• Synergistic effects in consortia enhance biomass, alter degradation pathways, and boost biocatalytic potential.
• These microbial interactions contribute positively to environmental remediation and human health.