Electrochemical biotechnologies minimizing the required electrode assemblies. (April 2018) - Sasaki, Kengo
Graphical abstract: Highlights: Novel electrochemical biotechnologies minimizing electrode assemblies are introduced. Electro-fermentation modifies cellular redox states and stimulates target metabolism. Controlling microbial consortia in bulk can contribute to reducing electrode number. Use of conductive particles can increase microbial production of valuable materials. Abstract : Microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) are expected to be put into practical use as an environmental technology that can support a future environmentally friendly society. However, conventional MESs present a challenge of inevitably increasing initial investment, mainly due to requirements for a large numbers of electrode assemblies. In this review, we introduce electrochemical biotechnologies that are under development and can minimize the required electrode assemblies. The novel biotechnologies, called electro-fermentation and indirect electro-stimulation, can drive specific microbial metabolism by electrochemically controlling intercellular and extracellular redox states, respectively. Other technologies, namely electric syntrophy and microbial photo-electrosynthesis, obviate the need for electrode assemblies, instead stimulating targeted reactions by using conductive particles to create new metabolic electron flows.