Developing microbial communities containing a high abundance of exoelectrogenic microorganisms using activated carbon granules

Microorganisms that can transfer electrons outside their cells are useful in a range of wastewater treatment and remediation technologies. Conventional methods enriching exoelectrogens cost-prohibitive (e.g., controlled-potential electrodes) or lack specificity soluble electron acceptors). In this study low-cost simple approach to enrich from mixed microbial inoculum was investigated. After the method validated using exoelectrogen Geobacter sulfurreducens, microorganisms pilot-scale biological activated carbon (BAC) filter were subjected incubations which acetate provided as donor granular (GAC) acceptor. The BAC-derived community oxidized reduced GAC at capacity 1.0 mmol e− (g GAC)−1. three transfers new bottles, oxidation rates increased 4.3-fold, morphologies surface coverage became homogenous. Although present <0.01% inoculum, species significantly enriched (up 96% abundance), suggesting they responsible for reducing GAC. ability quickly effectively develop an exoelectrogenic may help initiate and/or maintain environmental systems benefit unique metabolic capabilities these microorganisms.