title: Sub-toxic concentrations of volatile organic compounds inhibit extracellular respiration of Escherichia coli cells grown in anodic bioelectrochemical systems.
abstract: Low-cost and rapid detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is important for the control of water quality of used water and protection of downstream used water treatment processes. In this work, the effect of sub-toxic concentration of VOCs on the current output of Escherichia coli in bioelectrochemical systems (BES) is shown, in light of environmental sensing applications for sewage and used water networks. E. coli cells were grown on carbon felt electrodes in artificial used water, to increase sensitivity and decrease response time for detection. Extracellular electron transfer was promoted by the addition of a biocompatible redox mediator, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HNQ). Among the eight VOCs investigated, toluene is the most toxic to E. coli, with a detection limit of 50±2mgL(-1) and current output of 32±1nAmg(-1)L(-1). This work offers a straightforward route to enhance the detection of organic contaminants in used water for environmental applications.
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Abeed Fatima
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mohidin
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Letizia Lo
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Grasso
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seviour
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Kannan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Palanisamy
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27, Singapore 637551, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hinks
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27, Singapore 637551, Singapore; Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore.
authors.forename: Federico M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lauro
authors.affiliation: Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, SBS-01N-27, Singapore 637551, Singapore; School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 42 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637459, Singapore. Electronic address: emarsili@ntu.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marsili
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004566:Electrodes; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Amperometric biosensor; Biofilm; Escherichia coli; VOC