title: A microbial fuel cell operating at low pH using the acidophile Acidiphilium cryptum.
abstract: For the first time, a microbial fuel cell has been developed using an acidophile, Acidiphilium cryptum, as the anode biocatalyst. Electricity production using its natural electron acceptor, iron, as the electron mediating agent at pH values < or =4.0 was demonstrated. Accumulation of Fe(III) at the electrode, however, restricted current output. The combination of nitrilotriacetic acid and Phenosafranin as electron mediators increased the power output to 12.7 mW/m(2) in a two-chamber air-sparged fuel cell. Direct electron transfer from the microorganisms to the anode was also investigated but was not detected under the conditions studied.
authors: Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6226, USA. borolea@ornl.gov
authors: Abhijeet P
authors: AP
authors: Borole
authors: Hugh
authors: H
authors: O'Neill
authors: Costas
authors: C
authors: Tsouris
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Cesar
mesh_terms: D041801:Acidiphilium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004566:Electrodes; D004583:Electrons; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007501:Iron
chemical_list: D007501:Iron