Carlos A. Ramírez-Vargas, Amanda Prado de Nicolás, Carlos Alberto Arias et al.

Water • 2018

Microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) rely on the presence of the metabolic activity of electroactive bacteria for the use of solid-state electrodes for oxidizing different kinds of compound that can lead to the synthesis of chemicals, bioremediation of polluted matrices, the treatment of contaminants of interest, as well as the recovery of energy. Keeping these possibilities in mind, there has been growing interest in the use of electrochemical technologies for wastewater treatment, if possible with simultaneous power generation, since the beginning of the present century. In the last few years, there has been growing interest in exploring the possibility of merging MET with constructed wetlands offering a new option of an intensified wetland system that could maintain a high performance with a lower footprint. Based on that interest, this paper explains the general principles of MET, and the different known extracellular electron transfer mechanisms ruling the interaction between electroactive bacteria and potential solid-state electron acceptors. It also looks at the adoption of those principles for the development of MET set-ups for simultaneous wastewater treatment and power generation, and the challenges that the technology faces. Ultimately, the most recent developments in setups that merge MET with constructed wetlands are presented and discussed.

Mojtaba Maktabifard, Ewa Zaborowska, Jacek Mąkinia

Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology • 2018

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) consume high amounts of energy which is mostly purchased from the grid. During the past years, many ongoing measures have taken place to analyze the possible solutions for both reducing the energy consumption and increasing the renewable energy production in the plants. This review contains all possible aspects which may assist to move towards energy neutrality in WWTPs. The sources of energy in wastewater were introduced and different indicators to express the energy consumption were discussed with examples of the operating WWTPs worldwide. Furthermore, the pathways for energy consumption reductions were reviewed including the operational strategies and the novel technological upgrades of the wastewater treatment processes. Then the methods of recovering the potential energy hidden in wastewater were described along with application of renewable energies in WWTPs. The available assessment methods, which may help in analyzing and comparing WWTPs in terms of energy and greenhouse gas emissions were introduced. Eventually, successful case studies on energy self-sufficiency of WWTPs were listed and the innovative projects in this area were presented.

Ewelina Urbańczyk, Maciej Sowa, Wojciech Simka

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry • 2016

The abundance of urea in the natural environment is dictated by the fact that it is one of the major products of mammalian protein metabolism. Due to the extensive use of urea in many branches of industry, it is produced in large quantities. Urea enters into the environment not only with wastewater from the production plants but also by leaching from the fields, agro-breeding farms, and the effluents from the plants using it as a raw material. There are many methods of urea removal, but most of them are still being developed or are very new. The methods themselves differ in terms of physicochemical nature and technological ingenuity. Many wastewater treatment methods include processes such as hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, decomposition in the biological bed, decomposition by strong oxidants, adsorption, catalytic decomposition, and electrochemical oxidation. In this work, methods of urea removal from aqueous solutions have been reviewed. Particular attention was paid to electrochemical methods.

Robin Harder, Rosanne Wielemaker, Tove A. Larsen et al.

Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology • 2019

The need for better nutrient management has spurred efforts towards more comprehensive recycling of nutrients contained in human excreta to agriculture. Research in this direction has intensified throughout the past years, continuously unfolding new knowledge and technologies. The present review aspires to provide a systematic synthesis of the field by providing an accessible overview of terminology, recovery pathways and treatment options, and products rendered by treatment. Our synthesis suggests that, rather than focusing on a specific recovery pathway or product and on a limited set of nutrients, there is scope for exploring how to maximize nutrient recovery by combining individual pathways and products and including a broader range of nutrients. To this end, finding ways to more effectively share and consolidate knowledge and information on recovery pathways and products would be beneficial. The present review aims to provide a template that aims to facilitate designing human excreta management for maximum nutrient recovery, and that can serve as foundation for organizing and categorizing information for more effective sharing and consolidation.

Ahmad Siddik, R. Nithya, G. Ravi et al.

Bioresource Technology Reports • 2024

Zeguo Fan, Jiale Sun, Xiaoqi Fan et al.

Electrochimica Acta • 2024

Changyong Park, Geon-Soo Ha, Myeonggyun Kim et al.

Chemical Engineering Journal • 2025

Mohammadreza Kamali, D.P. Suhas, Maria Elisabete V. Costa et al.

Chemical Engineering Journal • 2019

Ross D. Milton, Rong Cai, Sofiène Abdellaoui et al.

Angewandte Chemie International Edition • 2017

Nitrogenases are the only enzymes known to reduce molecular nitrogen (N 2 ) to ammonia (NH 3 ). By using methyl viologen (N,N'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium) to shuttle electrons to nitrogenase, N 2 reduction to NH 3 can be mediated at an electrode surface. The coupling of this nitrogenase cathode with a bioanode that utilizes the enzyme hydrogenase to oxidize molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) results in an enzymatic fuel cell (EFC) that is able to produce NH 3 from H 2 and N 2 while simultaneously producing an electrical current. To demonstrate this, a charge of 60 mC was passed across H 2 /N 2 EFCs, which resulted in the formation of 286 nmol NH 3 mg -1 MoFe protein, corresponding to a Faradaic efficiency of 26.4 %.

Mengxi Yin, Boya Fu, Ting Xu et al.

Water Research • 2024

Mengxi Yin, Tengfei Ren, Ting Xu et al.

Chemical Engineering Journal • 2022

Johanna Radomski, Luciana Vieira, Volker Sieber

Bioelectrochemistry • 2023

Xian Wu, Guiqin Yang, Junhui Guo et al.

Bioelectrochemistry • 2024

Feng Li, Yuanxiu Li, Yingxiu Cao et al.

Nature Communications • 2018

The slow rate of extracellular electron transfer (EET) of electroactive microorganisms remains a primary bottleneck that restricts the practical applications of bioelectrochemical systems. Intracellular NAD(H/ + ) (i.e., the total level of NADH and NAD + ) is a crucial source of the intracellular electron pool from which intracellular electrons are transferred to extracellular electron acceptors via EET pathways. However, how the total level of intracellular NAD(H/ + ) impacts the EET rate in Shewanella oneidensis has not been established. Here, we use a modular synthetic biology strategy to redirect metabolic flux towards NAD + biosynthesis via three modules: de novo, salvage, and universal biosynthesis modules in S. oneidensis MR-1. The results demonstrate that an increase in intracellular NAD(H/ + ) results in the transfer of more electrons from the increased oxidation of the electron donor to the EET pathways of S. oneidensis, thereby enhancing intracellular electron flux and the EET rate.

Neeraj Kumar Singh, Rajesh Singh

Journal of Cleaner Production • 2023

Yanhong Li, Zeming Zhao, Yao Zhao et al.

iScience • 2025

The overuse of antibiotics poses critical threats to environmental and human health. This study developed a constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) system integrated with pre-acclimated Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 to enhance ofloxacin (OFL) removal from wastewater. The CW-MFC demonstrated exceptional removal efficiency (> 96%) for OFL across tested concentration gradients, significantly outperforming conventional CWs in both antibiotic elimination and conventional pollutant reduction. Microbial community analysis revealed that S. oneidensis MR-1 inoculation enhanced microbial diversity under OFL stress while promoting enrichment of electroactive Firmicutes phylum members compared to non-inoculated systems. The synergistic integration of bioelectrochemical processes and microbial consortia modification in CW-MFCs effectively addressed antibiotic contamination challenges. These findings establish CW-MFC technology combined with electroactive bacteria acclimation as a sustainable solution for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment, providing critical insights for optimizing antibiotic removal strategies in engineered ecosystems.

Valeria Agostino, Annika Lenić, Bettina Bardl et al.

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology • 2020

Electroautotrophy is a novel and fascinating microbial metabolism, with tremendous potential for CO 2 storage and valorization into chemicals and materials made thereof. Research attention has been devoted toward the characterization of acetogenic and methanogenic electroautotrophs. In contrast, here we characterize the electrophysiology of a sulfate-reducing bacterium, Desulfosporosinus orientis , harboring the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and, thus, capable of fixing CO 2 into acetyl-CoA. For most electroautotrophs the mode of electron uptake is still not fully clarified. Our electrochemical experiments at different polarization conditions and Fe 0 corrosion tests point to a H 2 - mediated electron uptake ability of this strain. This observation is in line with the lack of outer membrane and periplasmic multi-heme c -type cytochromes in this bacterium. Maximum planktonic biomass production and a maximum sulfate reduction rate of 2 ± 0.4 mM day -1 were obtained with an applied cathode potential of -900 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, resulting in an electron recovery in sulfate reduction of 37 ± 1.4%. Anaerobic sulfate respiration is more thermodynamically favorable than acetogenesis. Nevertheless, D. orientis strains adapted to sulfate-limiting conditions, could be tuned to electrosynthetic production of up to 8 mM of acetate, which compares well with other electroacetogens. The yield per biomass was very similar to H 2 /CO 2 based acetogenesis. Acetate bioelectrosynthesis was confirmed through stable isotope labeling experiments with Na-H 13 CO 3 . Our results highlight a great influence of the CO 2 feeding strategy and start-up H 2 level in the catholyte on planktonic biomass growth and acetate production. In serum bottles experiments, D. orientis also generated butyrate, which makes D. orientis even more attractive for bioelectrosynthesis application. A further optimization of these physiological pathways is needed to obtain electrosynthetic butyrate production in D. orientis biocathodes. This study expands the diversity of facultative autotrophs able to perform H 2 -mediated extracellular electron uptake in Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES). We characterized a sulfate-reducing and acetogenic bacterium, D. orientis , able to naturally produce acetate and butyrate from CO 2 and H 2 . For any future bioprocess, the exploitation of planktonic growing electroautotrophs with H 2 -mediated electron uptake would allow for a better use of the entire liquid volume of the cathodic reactor and, thus, higher productivities and product yields from CO 2 -rich waste gas streams.

André Gemünde, Jonas Gail, Jürgen Janek et al.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics X • 2023

Parallelized and automated screening systems are widely used in process development and optimization in bioelectrochemical applications. This includes the rapid testing and measuring of electrochemical potentials, electrical current densities, mediators, buffers, and biocatalysts. While different methods for screening electroactive organisms have been developed and evaluated in recent studies, there is no parallel device available so far, that can imitate a gas-fed and mediator-based bioelectrochemical system. Here we propose a device that is based on common 3.5 mL cuvettes as reaction vessels that implement commercially available screen-printed electrodes. In combination with a photometer fitted with an autosampler, the device measures the cell density as well as the mediator redox state online. The design enables cultivation times up to 120 h in 8 parallel e-Cuvettes and was validated by cultivating the well-characterized electroactive strain Pseudomonas putida KT2440 with 1 mM K3[Fe(CN)6] as redox mediator. With this setup, high current densities up to 113.42 ± 22.09 μA cm−2 were obtained. Via e-Cuvettes, setup times can be shortened from days to hours in comparison to established bioelectrochemical reactor systems, while maintaining sufficient liquid volume to allow for sampling of the culture broth.

Kristóf Bence Nagy, Mónika Meiczinger, Boglárka Bocska et al.

Chemical Engineering Journal • 2025

Reema Kumar, Bikash R. Tiwari, Guneet Kaur et al.

Sustainable Energy & Fuels • 2025

This review highlights strategies to enhance volatile fatty acid production under psychrophilic conditions, emphasizing operational optimization, microbial adaptation, pretreatments, bioaugmentation, and bioelectrochemical systems.

Minji Kim, Jiin Yoo, Min‐Soo Kim et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2025

Anna Kharkova, Anastasia S. Medvedeva, Lyubov S. Kuznetsova et al.

Polymers • 2024

This work proposes an approach to the formation of receptor elements for the rapid diagnosis of the state of surface waters according to two indicators: the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) index and toxicity. Associations among microorganisms based on the bacteria P. yeei and yeast S. cerevisiae , as well as associations of the yeasts O. polymorpha and B. adeninivorans , were formed to evaluate these indicators, respectively. The use of nanocomposite electrically conductive materials based on carbon nanotubes, biocompatible natural polymers-chitosan and bovine serum albumin cross-linked with ferrocenecarboxaldehyde, neutral red, safranin, and phenosafranin-has made it possible to expand the analytical capabilities of receptor systems. Redox polymers were studied by IR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, the contents of electroactive components were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemical properties were studied by electrochemical impedance and cyclic voltammetry methods. Based on the proposed kinetic approach to modeling individual stages of bioelectrochemical processes, the chitosan-neutral red/CNT composite was chosen to immobilize the yeast association between O. polymorpha (k s = 370 ± 20 L/g × s) and B. adeninivorans (320 ± 30 L/g × s), and a bovine serum albumin (BSA)-neutral composite was chosen to immobilize the association between the yeast S. cerevisiae (k s = 130 ± 10 L/g × s) and the bacteria P. yeei red/CNT (170 ± 30 L/g × s). After optimizing the composition of the receptor systems, it was shown that the use of nanocomposite materials together with associations among microorganisms makes it possible to determine BOD with high sensitivity (with a lower limit of 0.6 mg/dm 3 ) and detect the presence of a wide range of toxicants of both organic and inorganic origin. Both receptor elements were tested on water samples, showing a high correlation between the results of biosensor analysis of BOD and toxicity and the results of standard analytical methods. The results obtained show broad prospects for creating sensitive and portable bioelectrochemical sensors for the early warning of environmentally hazardous situations based on associations among microorganisms and nanocomposite materials.

Giang T.H. Le, Hend Omar Mohamed, Hyunsu Kim et al.

Chemical Engineering Journal • 2024

André Gemünde, Jonas Gail, Dirk Holtmann

Electrochemistry Communications • 2024

Bioelectrochemical systems with Cupriavidus necator present a viable solution for harnessing H2/CO2 mixtures as substrates, employing mediated electron transfer to an infinite electron acceptor in the form of an anode instead of O2. Fourteen redox mediators were spectroelectrochemically characterized, and their efficiency was evaluated through screening with C. necator in common cuvettes with screen printed electrodes (e-Cuvettes). Key performance indicators, including total turnover number, reduction rate, and growth, were analyzed. Ferricyanide emerged as highly effective for anodic respiration, reaching a total turnover number of 8.38 over 120 h of cultivation. On the other hand, phenazine methosulfate exhibited the highest reduction rate at 2.49 mM h−1 with a total of 5.16 turnovers. Contrary, growth impairment is reported for menadione, possibly leading to deficient anodic electron transfer. The utilization of a broad spectrum of these shuttle molecules highlights the potential for optimizing bioelectrochemical applications involving C. necator.

Fatima Akram, Esha Shoaib, Taseer Fatima et al.

Energy Exploration & Exploitation • 2024

The comprehensive review presents multi-faceted biofuel applications in various sectors and prospects, highlighting state-of-the-art technologies and potential changes in triglyceride-based biofuels. From the first-generation biofuel produced from food crops to the fourth generation of engineered microbes, there is an improvement in technologies and sustainability. Transesterification synthesis of biodiesel with different chemical catalysts and biocatalysts shows continuous efforts toward making the process more efficient and economically viable; emerging technologies like hydrodeoxygenation and pyrolysis open new routes for optimized biofuel production with less environmental impact. With a focus on biodiesel, bioethanol, biobutanol, and biohydrogen, this paper deals with their contributions to energy generation in a sustainable manner and environmental stewardship. AI and machine learning in the production of biofuels could provide new revolutions in efficiency and sustainability directly from feedstock selection to product recovery. Bioethanol is effectively used in gasoline blends with several advantages, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Biobutanol is a good transport fuel alternative, with high energy content, easily used with the existing infrastructure. Biological processes yield Biohydrogen and may have bright prospects for producing clean energy, specifically in the case of bioelectrochemical systems. Prospects hinge on addressing the challenges, promoting research and development, and fostering collaboration and investment in biofuel innovation. This review underscores the importance of continued efforts to advance biofuel technologies, recognizing their pivotal role in achieving a sustainable energy future while addressing global energy and environmental challenges.

Tahereh Jafary, Anteneh Mesfin Yeneneh, Muna Al-Hinai

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy • 2024

Raj Kumar Saini, Smriti Mehrotra, Ioannis Ieropoulos et al.

International Journal of Energy Research • 2022

Resource depletion and simultaneous increase in energy demand have driven the need for alternative energy solutions, such as Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). In the last two decades, BESs have witnessed significant research and development, however, the technology is still not commercialized. Major challenges lie with large-scale continuous operation, limited by the understudied fluid dynamic behavior of the system as a whole, and in particular of the anolyte. A continuous flow, auto dripping bioelectrochemical reactor (AutoDriBER) was therefore developed and modeled in the present study. The optimum flow rate, under which AutoDriBER achieved 2.91 ± 0.29 V, 1.02 W/m2, and 88.29 ± 1.83% operating voltage, power density, and COD removal, respectively, was 10 mL/min. COD reduction was highest, 91.24 ± 1.52%, at 5 mL/min flow rate. The present findings form an initial step towards optimizing complex designs and overcoming limitations for the scale-up of continuous flow bioelectrochemical reactors.

Tuğba Gürbüz, M. Erdem Günay, N. Alper Tapan

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy • 2024

Haolin Chen, Meiyi Tang, Liang He et al.

Bioresource Technology • 2024

Shuning Chen, Kajia Wei, Yujue Wang et al.

The Science of The Total Environment • 2021

Baoli Qin, Guiqin Yang, Xiaochun Chen et al.

Water Research • 2024

Tricia D. Nguyen, Y. Meriah Arias-Thode, Anna Obraztsova et al.

Journal of environmental chemical engineering • 2021

Johanna M. Haavisto, Marika Kokko, Aino–Maija Lakaniemi et al.

Bioelectrochemistry • 2019

Soumya Pandit, Chetan Pandit, Abhilasha Singh Mathuriya et al.

Process Safety and Environmental Protection • 2024

Noha Khedr, Khaled N. M. Elsayed, Ibraheem Ibraheem et al.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules • 2023

Jiaxuan Zhu, Qian Zhao, Jinning Wang et al.

Journal of Cleaner Production • 2023

Ding Chen, Yun Lang, Liwen Xiao et al.

Emerging contaminants • 2025

The pollution caused by veterinary antibiotics (VAs) has become a global concern due to their role in promoting antimicrobial resistance in the environment. Animal manure, often referred to as animal slurry, contains substantial amounts of VAs originating from animal urine and feces. Since animal manure is commonly used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer, understanding the degradation of VAs and ensuring their efficient removal are essential for effective manure management. This article critically reviews the emerging technologies effective in VA removal, such as adsorption, membrane separation, advanced oxidation processes, carbonization, and bioelectrochemical systems. While these technologies have been extensively studied for their ability to remove pharmaceuticals from common water and wastewater, their applicability to real manure treatment remains insufficiently explored. This article outlines the challenges associated with each technology, particularly concerning the complex composition of animal manure. It highlights the potential of these technologies as supplementary or post-treatment options to improve VA removal, particularly during periods of high VA usage for therapeutic purposes. Finally, the article offers several recommendations, including advancements in animal manure collection, the importance of VA removal to mitigate antimicrobial resistance, and the potential for integrating multiple technologies to optimize VA removal.

Qian Wei, Bowen Li, Xia Zhao et al.

Biochemical Engineering Journal • 2022

Ram Kumar, Sushant Salwan, Pawan Kumar et al.

Analytica—A Journal of Analytical Chemistry and Chemical Analysis • 2025

Electroanalysis has emerged as a critical tool in the pharmaceutical industry, offering versatile and sensitive methods for drug analysis. This review explores the principles, techniques, and applications of electroanalysis in pharmaceuticals, emphasizing its role in drug development, quality assurance, pharmacokinetics, and environmental monitoring. Key electroanalytical methods, including voltammetry, potentiometry, and amperometry, are detailed along with their practical applications, such as detecting active pharmaceutical ingredients, monitoring drug metabolites, and ensuring product stability. Innovations in electrode materials and biosensors have enhanced their sensitivity and specificity, paving the way for advanced drug screening and therapeutic monitoring. Challenges like electrode fouling, selectivity issues, and regulatory constraints are discussed, along with strategies to overcome them. Future trends highlight the integration of nanotechnology, AI, and portable sensors to facilitate real-time analysis and personalized medicine. These advancements position electroanalysis as an indispensable component of modern pharmaceutical research and healthcare. Future perspectives emphasize the integration of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize experimental processes and data interpretation. This study also predicts the increased adoption of lab-on-a-chip systems and bioelectrochemical sensors to meet the growing demand for precision medicine and sustainable pharmaceutical practices. These advancements position electroanalysis as a cornerstone of pharmaceutical research, paving the way for more efficient drug development, improved patient outcomes and better environmental management. This comprehensive review underscores the transformative potential of electroanalysis in addressing the evolving challenges of the pharmaceutical industry and provides a foundation for future innovations. This review does not explicitly define the timeframe for the considered advancements. However, it discusses recent technological developments, including innovations in nanostructured electrodes, microfluidic integration, and AI-driven data analysis, indicating a focus on advancements primarily from the last few years, i.e., from 2020 to 2025.

Lingling Gong, Nastaran Khodaparastasgarabad, Derek M. Hall et al.

SSRN Electronic Journal • 2022