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Review
. 2015;30(2):133-9.
doi: 10.1264/jsme2.ME15028. Epub 2015 May 23.

Biotechnological Aspects of Microbial Extracellular Electron Transfer

Souichiro Kato  1
Affiliations
Review

Biotechnological Aspects of Microbial Extracellular Electron Transfer

Souichiro Kato. Microbes Environ. 2015.

Abstract

Extracellular electron transfer (EET) is a type of microbial respiration that enables electron transfer between microbial cells and extracellular solid materials, including naturally-occurring metal compounds and artificial electrodes. Microorganisms harboring EET abilities have received considerable attention for their various biotechnological applications, in addition to their contribution to global energy and material cycles. In this review, current knowledge on microbial EET and its application to diverse biotechnologies, including the bioremediation of toxic metals, recovery of useful metals, biocorrosion, and microbial electrochemical systems (microbial fuel cells and microbial electrosynthesis), were introduced. Two potential biotechnologies based on microbial EET, namely the electrochemical control of microbial metabolism and electrochemical stimulation of microbial symbiotic reactions (electric syntrophy), were also discussed.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic diagrams of (A) oxygen respiration and (B) microbial extracellular electron transfer.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Schematic diagrams of (A) H2-dependent syntrophic methanogenesis and (B) methanogenesis based on electric syntrophy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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