Work

Microbial electrosynthesis: opportunities for microbial pure cultures

Year: 2024

Type: review

Abstract: Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an emerging technology that couples renewable electricity to microbial production processes. Although advances in MES performance have been driven largely by microbial mixed cultures, we see a great limitation in the diversity, and hence value, of products that can be achieved in undefined mixed cultures. By contrast, metabolic control of pure cultures and genetic engineering could greatly expand the scope of MES, and even of broader electrobiotechnology, to include targeted high-value products. To leverage this potential, we advocate for more efforts and activities to develop engineered electroactive microbes for synthesis, and we highlight the need for a standardized electrobioreactor infrastructure that allows the establishment and engineering of electrobioprocesses with these novel biocatalysts.

Source: Trends in biotechnology

DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.02.004

Authors: Falk Harnisch, Jörg S. Deutzmann, Santiago T. Boto, Miriam A. Rosenbaum

Institutions: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Stanford University, Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie e. V. - Hans-Knöll-Institut (HKI), Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Fuel Cells and Bioremediation

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $7,030