Recent advances and perspectives on N₂ fixation by microbial bioelectrochemical systems

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Electrochemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Microbial bioelectrochemical systems (BES) utilize microbial respiration with electrodes.
• Nitrogen (N₂) fixation is crucial for biological nitrogen cycling.
• Current methods for nitrogen fixation have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in dinitrogen (N₂) fixation within microbial bioelectrochemical systems (BES).
• To explore the potential of BES for ammonium and biomass production via N₂ fixation.
• To compare N₂ fixation in BES with other established methods.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on N₂ fixation in microbial bioelectrochemical systems.
• Discussion of metabolic pathways and mechanisms for N₂ fixation in BES.
• Analysis of recent examples of N₂ fixation at cathodic and anodic electrodes.

Main Results:

• N₂ fixation has been demonstrated in BES using pure cultures and mixed consortia.
• Both cathodic and anodic sites in BES can support N₂ fixation.
• BES offer a platform for direct or indirect electron transfer for N₂ fixation.

Conclusions:

• BES present a novel approach for sustainable nitrogen fixation.
• Further optimization is needed for practical applications of N₂ fixation in BES.
• BES hold potential for producing valuable products like ammonium and biomass from N₂.