Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are emerging as a promising future technology for a wide range of applications such as bioremediation, desalination, production of biofuels/value-added products in addition to sustainable electricity generation. Electroactive (EA) biofilms are the key players in any bioelectrochemical systems including MFCs. They are involved in the catalyzing oxidation/reduction reactions as well as mediating the electron transfer at electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Low power output of the MFCs remains a major limitation in MFCs and biofilm engineering is an ideal option for improving the rates of microbial electrocatalysis. Herein, we critically address the biofilm formation mechanisms in electroactive microorganisms, strategies for improving the biofilm formation leading to improved electrocatalytic rates for applications in bioelectrochemical systems.

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Biofilm Engineering Approaches for Improving the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioelectrochemical Systems

Fungi are among the microorganisms able to generate electricity as a result of their metabolic processes. Throughout the last several years, a large number of papers on various microorganisms for current production in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been published; however, fungi still lack sufficient evaluation in this regard. In this review, we focus on fungi, paying special attention to their potential applicability to MFCs. Fungi used as anodic or cathodic catalysts, in different reactor configurations, with or without the addition of an exogenous mediator, are described. Contrary to bacteria, in which the mechanism of electron transfer is pretty well known, the mechanism of electron transfer in fungi-based MFCs has not been studied intensively. Thus, here we describe the main findings, which can be used as the starting point for future investigations. We show that fungi have the potential to act as electrogens or cathode catalysts, but MFCs based on bacteria–fungus interactions are especially interesting. The review presents the current state-of-the-art in the field of MFC systems exploiting fungi.

Fungi-Based Microbial Fuel Cells

Response surface optimization of microalgae microbial fuel cell (MMFC) enhanced by yeast immobilization for bioelectricity production

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are fascinating bioelectrochemical devices that use the catalytic activity of living microorganisms to draw electric energy from organic matter present naturally in the environment or in the waste. Yeasts are eukaryotic microorganisms, classified as members of the fungus kingdom. Several yeast strains have been studied as biocatalysts in MFC with or without external mediator such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida melibiosica, Hansenula anomala, Hansenula polymorpha, Arxula adeninvorans and Kluyveromyces marxianus. In this chapter, we will focus on the use of yeast as a biocatalyst in the anode of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). How different yeast strains transfer electrons to the anode of the microbial fuel cells, advantages and challenges of the use of yeasts in MFCs, how to improve the performance and sustainability of the yeast-based MFCs through the modification of the anode electrode surface, and the application of the yeastbased MFCs in continuous wastewater treatment were discussed.

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Yeast as a Biocatalyst in Microbial Fuel Cell

Preliminary Investigation of Electricity Production Using Dual Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (DCMFC) with Saccharomyces Cerevisiae as Biocatalyst and Methylene Blue as an Electron Mediator

Desi Rosdianti

Papers

Preliminary Investigation of Electricity Production Using Dual Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (DCMFC) with Saccharomyces Cerevisiae as Biocatalyst and Methylene Blue as an Electron Mediator