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Updated: Sep 9, 2025

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms
Published on: June 1, 2018
Aerobic mild bioelectrocatalysis: Disentangling dual redox pathways for H2 evolution amidst competing oxygen
Graziela C Sedenho1, Rodrigo M Iost2, Rafael L Romano1
1São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, SP 13566-590, Brazil.
Abstract:
Microbial H2 production is traditionally restricted by the oxygen sensitivity of hydrogenase enzymes, limiting their effective use to anaerobic environments. In this study, we demonstrate that S. cerevisiae, lacking conventional hydrogenases, exhibits an exceptional ability for H2 evolution in oxygen-rich conditions. At pH 7.2 and 25 °C, S. cerevisiae biofilms catalyze hydrogen production with a near-zero overpotential (40 mV), made possible by a redox-active extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix enriched with flavoproteins. We highlight the potential of S. cerevisiae as an oxygen-resistant biocatalyst for sustainable biohydrogen production and discuss its application in ambient-condition bioelectrochemical systems.
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