Simultaneous degradation of tetracycline by a microbial fuel cell and its toxicity evaluation by zebrafish

Abstract

Tetracycline (TC) is the second most commonly used antibiotic despite its high toxicity and persistence. In this study, a new approach for the anaerobic biodegradation of TC in a microbial fuel cell (MFC), with glucose-TC mixtures as the substrate, under gradient acclimation conditions was explored. Within 7 days, approximately 79.1% of TC was degraded by the MFC. This value was higher than that obtained through a traditional anaerobic method (14.9%). The TC degradation rates in MFCs with a closed circuit were 31.6% higher than those in MFCs with an open circuit. Furthermore, zebrafish assessment showed that no toxicity was observed after MFC treatment. Microbial community analysis was performed on the anode of the MFCs under gradient acclimation conditions, and the results showed that TC was effectively degraded by the synergy of fermentative bacteria, acid-producing bacteria and electrogenic bacteria. This work confirmed that the anaerobic biodegradation of TC by MFCs is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method.

Modification of carbon felt anodes using double-oxidant HNO3/H2O2 for application in microbial fuel cells

“…In these cells, exoelectrogenic bacteria directly converted chemical energy stored in organic waste into electrical energy. [1][2][3] Despite their obvious benets, however, MFCs suffered from low energy production and poor organic degradation. Thus, the performance of MFCs should be improved for practical application, which was inuenced by several factors, including microbial species, types and properties of the substrate, diaphragm material, electrode material, and system design.…”

Shifting interactions among bacteria, fungi and archaea enhance removal of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in the soil bioelectrochemical remediation

“…Previous studies have shown that tetracycline is difficult to biodegrade, whereas sulphonamides have been found to be easily assimilated as a carbon or nitrogen source for microbial growth [27, 28]. However, Wang et al [29] stressed the essentiality of the gradual domestication of micro-organisms during the process of tetracycline removal by MFCs, and 79% of tetracycline was removed within 7 days in closed MFCs after a domestication cycle of 5 weeks. Here, no inoculation and acclimation resulted in a relatively slow tetracycline degradation efficiency.…”

Degradation characterization and pathway analysis of chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline in a microbial fuel cell

“…Therefore, the degradation of antibiotics was particularly faster under the CC. 24 Toxicity evaluation of zebrash embryos…”

“…16 The MFC can convert energy and produce electricity while degrading organic matter, 17,18 such as easily degradable 19,20 and bio-refractory organics. 21,22 Several studies have recently focused on the degradation of TCs by MFC 23,24 to improve TC removal. However, the characterization and degradation mechanisms of the different kinds of TCs by MFC remain unknown.…”