Electrical current generation in microbial electrolysis cells by hyperthermophilic archaea Ferroglobus placidus and Geoglobus ahangari


Yilmazel Y. D., Zhu X., Kim K., Holmes D. E., Logan B. E.

BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY, vol.119, pp.142-149, 2018 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 119
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2017.09.012
  • Journal Name: BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.142-149
  • Keywords: Hyperthermophilic archaea, Ferroglobus placidus, Geoglobus ahangari, Hyperthermophilic MEC, GEOBACTER-SULFURREDUCENS, FE(III) REDUCTION, SP-NOV., ANAEROBIC DEGRADATION, AROMATIC-COMPOUNDS, METAL REDUCTION, OXIDATION, GENOME, SHEWANELLA, BACTERIUM
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Few microorganisms have been examined for current generation under thermophilic (40-65 degrees C) or hyperthermophilic temperatures (>= 80 degrees C) in microbial electrochemical systems. Two iron-reducing archaea from the family Archadoglobaceae, Ferroglobus placidus and Geoglobus ahangari, showed electro-active behavior leading to current generation at hyperthermophilic temperatures in single-chamber microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). A current density (j) of 0.68 +/- 0.11 A/m(2) was attained in F. placidus MECs at 85 degrees C, and 0.57 +/- 0.10 A/m(2) in G. ahangari MECs at 80 degrees C, with an applied voltage of 0.7 V. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed that both strains produced a sigmoidal catalytic wave, with a mid-point potential of -0.39 V (vs. Ag/AgCI) for F. placidus and -0.37 V for G. ahangari. The comparison of CVs using spent medium and turnover CVs, coupled with the detection of peaks at the same potentials in both turnover and non-turnover conditions, suggested that mediators were not used for electron transfer and that both archaea produced current through direct contact with the electrode. These two archaeal species, and other hyperthermophilic exoelectrogens, have the potential to broaden the applications of microbial electrochemical technologies for producing biofuels and other bioelectrochemical products under extreme environmental conditions. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.