A low-cost yeast-based biofuel cell: an educational green approach. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silveira, Gustavo; Ikegaki, Masaharu; Schneedorf, José Maurício
• Is Part Of: Green chemistry letters and reviews. Volume 10:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 41
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Biofuel cell -- bioenergetics -- glycolysis -- Green chemistry -- Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Green chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1080/17518253.2016.1278280
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-8253

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper describes the construction and characterization of a biofuel cell with low-cost materials. The system uses the baker's yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) as the microorganism responsible for the generation of voltage, whose interaction with the electrode is mediated by methylene blue. Simple experiments are proposed to evaluate the effects of different substrates, inhibitors and cell viability, improving both the knowledge of the system as well as metabolic pathway concepts to the student. The proposed device was able to generate a power density of 41 ± 0.3 mW m −2, similar to those obtained with yeast-based biofuel cells. The low cost and easily acquisition of materials described allow the introduction of biofuel cell theme in different teaching levels, from high school to the college level. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: