Chapter 13 - Genetic Approaches for Improving Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells: Part A

FEDERICO FIGUEREDO; ALBERT SAAVEDRA; LEONARDO ERIJMAN; GONZALEZ-PABON MARIA; EVA FIGUEROLA; EDUARDO CORTON

Progress and Recent Trends in Microbial Fuel Cells

ElServier

Lugar: USA; Año: 2018; p. 243 - 285

This Chapter reviews the advances and novel techniques presented in the last years in order to improve the efficiency of one relevant bioelectrochemical system, the microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The efficiency of MFCs, when energy production is considered, has reached a limit: to further increase the possibilities, several paths have been followed. Here we will concentrate on genetic engineering approaches to improve the efficiency, by altering the metabolic pathways that channelled electrons from its production in the intracellular metabolic process to the electrode surface. These paths include small molecules, as well as large proteins, such as cytochromes. Modification of the limiting step (if any) or the whole electron path is the goal. We present here advances made in the most used microorganisms (as Geobacter and Shewanella), as well as other heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms. The selection of natural and synthetic microbial communities at the anode is also discussed.