Exploring Microbial Electroactivity: From Skin Microbiota to Cable Bacteria in Microbial Fuel Cells

Abstract

Bacteria with the remarkable ability to transport electrons both intra and extracellularly for renewable energy production and environmental remediation. Nowadays, some bacteria have applications in the field of environmental sciences as well as physics, involving the production of useful substances and electric current. Prokaryotes have the potential to use charged electrodes to donate and accept electrons. These bacteria use a mechanism namely extracellular electron transport (EET) for multiple purposes; small power sources, pollution remedy, water reclamation, and electrosynthesis. Researchers are currently working on bacteria having EET ability at a basic level and looking forward to remarkable applications in the future. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are recognized as the most potent candidate for future alternative energy production. Nanowires such as those produced by Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella oneidensis, facilitate electron transfer over longer distances, enhancing the efficiency of bioelectricity generation. This review briefly explains the components of bacteria involved in the EET mechanisms for the production of electric current and the role of biofilm for electrogenic bacteria. It also highlights the different methods used to promote the EET mechanism and some unusual external electrons used recently in MFC.