Microbe–Anode Interactions: Comparing the impact of genetic and material engineering approaches to improve the performance of microbial electrochemical systems (MES)

Abstract

Microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) are a highly versatile platform technology with a particular focus on power or energy production. Often, they are used in combination with substrate conversion (e.g., wastewater treatment) and production of value-added compounds via electrode-assisted fermentation. This rapidly evolving field has seen great improvements both technically and biologically, but this interdisciplinarity sometimes hampers overseeing strategies to increase process efficiency. In this review, we first briefly summarize the terminology of the technology and outline the biological background that is essential for understanding and thus improving MES technology. Thereafter, recent research on improvements at the biofilm-electrode interface will be summarized and discussed, distinguishing between biotic and abiotic approaches. The two approaches are then compared, and resulting future directions are discussed. This mini-review therefore provides basic knowledge of MES technology and the underlying microbiology in general and reviews recent improvements at the bacteria-electrode interface.How to cite this article: Klein, E.M., Knoll, M.T. & Gescher, J. ( 2023) Microbe-Anode Interactions: Comparing the impact of genetic and material engineering approaches to improve the performance of microbial electrochemical systems (MES).

Selection of the most suitable pretreatment method by PROMETHEE for baker's yeast production wastewater in Microbial Fuel Cell

“…However, the metabolic pathways of exoelectrogens on different substrates should be investigated in detail. In recent years, genetic modification applications have become important for the modification of exoelectrogens or the development of microbial strains with higher electrochemical activities 47 . Because power densities depend on many factors such as the configuration of MFCs, electrode spacing, and electrolyte conductivity, as well as exoelectrogens, MFC optimization studies will contribute to the scale‐up of MFCs.…”

“…In recent years, genetic modification applications have become important for the modification of exoelectrogens or the development of microbial strains with higher electrochemical activities. 47 Because power densities depend on many factors such as the configuration of MFCs, electrode spacing, and electrolyte conductivity, as well as exoelectrogens, MFC optimization studies will contribute to the scale-up of MFCs. Scaling-up of MFC systems still encounters many obstacles (low power output, voltage instability, high internal resistance, mass transport loss, and biofouling).…”

Elucidating the development of cooperative anode-biofilm-structures

“…Nevertheless, the aerotolerant to obligate anaerobic metabolism of G. sulfurreducens and its poor genetic accessibility limit its application to some extent. S. oneidensis , on the other hand, has a high genetic accessibility and a facultative anaerobic metabolism, which qualifies it as an appropriate candidate for biotechnological applications for instance in anode-assisted fermentations [ 38 , 39 ].…”

Elucidating the Development of Cooperative Anode‐Biofilm‐Structures

“…Nevertheless, the aerotolerant to obligate anaerobic metabolism of G. sulfurreducens and its poor genetic accessibility limit its application to some extent. S. oneidensis, on the other hand, has a high genetic accessibility and a facultative anaerobic metabolism, which qualifies it as an appropriate candidate for biotechnological applications for instance in anodeassisted fermentations [38,39].…”