USE OF MICROBIAL FUEL CELL SYSTEMS IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN CONNECTION WITH BIOENERGY GENERATION

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20873/pibic_2024_21014

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) provide a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation, with their efficiency being highly dependent on microbial community composition, which varies considerably across effluent types and operational conditions. In this study, metagenomic sequencing libraries of 16S rRNA amplicons were obtained from 227 samples across 30 published MFC studies. These libraries were processed using the QIIME2 v2025.5.1 amplicon data analysis pipeline to perform taxonomic classification, evaluate microbial diversity metrics, and infer functional pathway associations. Despite the variability observed, common electroactive genera such as Geobacter (1.10%) and organic matter degraders like Proteiniphilum (0.84%) were consistently identified, along with halotolerant Halobacteriota in high-salinity environments. At the phylum level, Pseudomonadota (13.45%) and Bacteroidota (9.88%) were predominant, with functional pathways linked to extracellular electron transfer, biofilm formation, and pollutant degradation. These findings underscore key microbial taxa and metabolic processes critical to MFC performance, providing a foundation for optimizing microbial consortia and refining operational strategies to enhance bioenergy production and wastewater treatment across diverse environmental contexts.

Author Biographies

João Vitor Aires Teixeira, Federal University of Tocantins

Bioprocess and Biotechnology Engineering undegraduate degree student at the Federal University of Tocantins, Gurupi Campus (2022).

Elki Cristina de Souza, Federal University of Tocantins

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Institute of Chemistry of São Carlos, University of São Paulo (IQSC-USP). Master’s and Ph.D. in Chemistry (Physical Chemistry) from IQSC-USP. Postdoctoral research at the Department of Aeronautical, Automotive, and Materials Engineering, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo (EESC-USP). Expertise in Physical Chemistry, focusing on Electrochemistry, particularly in nickel-metal hydride batteries, hydrogen storage materials, electrode materials, fuel cells, electrocatalysts, electrochemical techniques, electrolysis, and corrosion. Research includes microstructure/properties and electrochemical corrosion of stainless steels and Ni-based superalloys. Leads a project approved by FAPT – Centelha-TO. Adjunct professor at the Federal University of Tocantins, Gurupi Campus, since 2017.

Published

2025-04-30

How to Cite

Teixeira, J. V. A., & de Souza, E. C. (2025). USE OF MICROBIAL FUEL CELL SYSTEMS IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT IN CONNECTION WITH BIOENERGY GENERATION. DESAFIOS - Revista Interdisciplinar Da Universidade Federal Do Tocantins, 12(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.20873/pibic_2024_21014