Bioinformatic analysis of bacterial composition and metabolic mapping of selectively enriched microbial community within Microbial Fuel Cells

Abstract

Microbial Electrogenic Technology (MET) refers to the common phenomenon of microbial activity that results in either electricity generation, as in the case of Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) or utilizes applied electricity as in the case of Microbial Electrolysis Cells (MEC). MFCs are emerging technology of energy-efficient wastewater treatment as compared to the commonly applied aerobic methods. The overall efficiency of METs is due to the activity of mature microbial consortia that reach optimum performance over time. Microorganisms colonizing MFCs and MECs are able to either directly transfer/receive electrons from the electrodes or secrete shuttles to facilitate that process.