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Review
. 2020 Jan 31:8:10.
doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00010. eCollection 2020.

Progress and Prospects of Bioelectrochemical Systems: Electron Transfer and Its Applications in the Microbial Metabolism

Tianwen Zheng  1 , Jin Li  1 , Yaliang Ji  1 , Wenming Zhang  1 , Yan Fang  1 , Fengxue Xin  1 , Weiliang Dong  1 , Ping Wei  1 , Jiangfeng Ma  1 , Min Jiang  1
Affiliations
Review

Progress and Prospects of Bioelectrochemical Systems: Electron Transfer and Its Applications in the Microbial Metabolism

Tianwen Zheng et al. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. .

Abstract

Bioelectrochemical systems are revolutionary new bioengineering technologies which integrate microorganisms or enzymes with the electrochemical method to improve the reducing or oxidizing metabolism. Generally, the bioelectrochemical systems show the processes referring to electrical power generation or achieving the reducing reaction with a certain potential poised by means of electron transfer between the electron acceptor and electron donor. Researchers have focused on the selection and optimization of the electrode materials, design of electrochemical device, and screening of electrochemically active or inactive model microorganisms. Notably, all these means and studies are related to electron transfer: efflux and consumption. Thus, here we introduce the basic concepts of bioelectrochemical systems, and elaborate on the extracellular and intracellular electron transfer, and the hypothetical electron transfer mechanism. Also, intracellular energy generation and coenzyme metabolism along with electron transfer are analyzed. Finally, the applications of bioelectrochemical systems and the prospect of microbial electrochemical technologies are discussed.

Keywords: bioelectrochemical system; coenzyme metabolism; electron transfer; energy generation; microbial electrolysis cells; microbial fuel cells.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Mechanisms for bidirectional electron transfer between bacteria and electrodes. (A) Represents two mechanisms of direct electron transfer, one is mediated by nanowire, the other is mediated by outer membrane cytochromes with or without electron shuttles; (B) Shows the indirect electron transfer mediated by electron shuttles.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Intracellular electron transfer chains in Shewanella and Geobacter. (A) Describes the process of electron leaking from intracellular metabolism via Mtr and CymA systems in Shewanella, (B) Describes the process of electron capturing by strains from cathodes and used for fumarate reduction. (C,D) describe the ETCs of Geobacter in MFC and MEC systems, respectively.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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