Fumarate dramatically enhances biocurrent output in Shewanella-based bioelectrochemical systemShow others and affiliations
2026 (English)In: Bioelectrochemistry, ISSN 1567-5394, E-ISSN 1878-562X, Vol. 172, article id 109330Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Extracellular electron transfer (EET) is crucial in microbial energy-conversion technologies. However, broad application is hindered by insufficient charge transfer from microbes to electrodes. Fumarate, although should theoretically inhibit EET as a competing electron acceptor, was shown to moderately enhance EET in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. In this work, a 50-fold increase in EET currents in the presence of 30 mM fumarate is demonstrated, leading to a 100-fold reduction in electrical resistance to biocurrents based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. A fast decrease in currents following the depletion of fumarate and a rapid increase upon reintroducing fumarate revealed hitherto unreported EET dynamics. Through enzymatic assays, the ratio of electrons channeled from lactate metabolism into fumarate reduction and EET, and the concentrations of fumarate necessary for days-long high EET are determined. These new aspects promise to contribute to the development of more efficient microbial technologies without employing any genetic and even materials modifications.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA , 2026. Vol. 172, article id 109330
Keywords [en]
Shewanella oneidensis; Microbial electrochemical system; Extracellular electron transfer; Fumarate; Flavin; Respiration
National Category
Materials Chemistry
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-225850DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2026.109330ISI: 001797712200001PubMedID: 42269485Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105041072816OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-225850DiVA, id: diva2:2081459
Note
Funding Agencies|Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation [2015-05492]; Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research [RIT15-0119]; Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, of the U.S. Department of Energy; [DE-AC02-05CH11231]
2026-06-292026-06-292026-08-22