CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bio-electrochemical devices, where usually the anode(but sometimes the cathode, or both) contains microorganisms able to generate andsustain an electrochemical gradient which is used typically to generate electrical power.In the more studied set-up, the anode contains heterotrophic bacteria in anaerobicconditions, capable to oxidize organic molecules releasing protons and electrons, aswell as other by-products. Released protons could reach the cathode (through amembrane or not) whereas electrons travel across an external circuit originating aneasily measurable direct current flow. MFCs have been proposed fundamentally aselectric power producing devices or more recently as hydrogen producing devices. Herewe will review the still incipient development of analytical uses of MFCs or relateddevices or set-ups, in the light of a non-restrictive MFC definition, as promising tools toasset water quality or other measurable parameters. An introduction to biological basedanalytical methods, including bioassays and biosensors, as well as MFCs design andoperating principles will be also included. Besides, the use of MFCs as biochemicaloxygen demand sensors (perhaps the main analytical application of MFCs), isdiscussed. In a companion review (Part 2), other new analytical applications arereviewed, as the use as toxicity sensors, metabolic sensors, life detectors, and otherproposed applications.