Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
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Electrochemical Detection of Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effect on Extracellular Electron Transport in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1
Published on: April 16, 2018
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Aerobic extracellular electron transfer in Shewanella spp
Wei Chen1, Biyi Zhao1, Liping Dai1
1State Key Laboratory of Regional and Urban Ecology, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Bioresource Technology
|April 23, 2026
Summary
Microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) now occurs under aerobic conditions, boosting current density 5-fold. This finding expands applications for microbial EET in energy and environmental solutions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Electrochemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) is crucial for energy conversion and biogeochemical cycles.
- Current applications of microbial EET are limited by the requirement for anaerobic or micro-aerobic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for microbial EET under high dissolved oxygen (aerobic) conditions.
- To explore the mechanisms and applications of aerobic EET.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 as a model strain.
- Employed bio-electrochemical systems to measure current density.
- Investigated the reduction of manganese mineral birnessite.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 performs EET under high dissolved oxygen.
- Achieved a 5-fold higher current density under aerobic conditions compared to anaerobic conditions.
- Showed effective aerobic reduction of manganese mineral birnessite.
Conclusions:
- Aerobic EET is feasible and offers significantly higher efficiency than previously thought.
- High dissolved oxygen supports greater biological capacity and faster metabolic processes for EET.
- Aerobic EET has implications for manganese biogeochemical cycling and broadens the scope of microbial EET applications.
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