Powering the future: advances and applications of microbial fuel cell-based biosensors

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) reactors harness the metabolic processes of bacteria to generate electricity from various organic substrates, positioning them as a promising technology for sustainable energy production. The substantial energy yield from organic waste has spurred significant scientific interest in advanced MFCs. Serving as a multidisciplinary research platform at the intersection of engineering and natural sciences, MFCs have broad potential applications. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of MFC-based biosensors. It delves into the fundamental principles, benefits, challenges, and potential applications of these biosensors. The review covers a wide array of uses, including environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics, and highlights the importance of optimizing microbial communities, ensuring stability, and achieving reproducibility. MFC-based biosensors hold promise as a revolutionary and versatile sensing technology, with significant potential for further advancements.