Bacterial Diversity Associated with Anodic Biofilms in Microbial Fuel Cells Fed with Wastewater

This study evaluated the bacterial diversity associated with biofilms formed on the anode of microbial fuel cells (MFC), by analyzing the 16S rRNA gene and observations by scanning electron microscopy. Single chambered MFC were constructed and kept in operation for 30 days using environmental samples as inoculum and sole energy substrate; the MFC were monitored as a function of energy production in the course of the experiment; at endpoint, molecular characterization and observations using scanning electron microscopy was performed to the formed biofilms. Values of maximum power density of 4.85 mW/m2 for domestic wastewater and 1.85 mW/m2 in the case of industrial wastewater are reported, with declines of 71 % of the BOD for domestic wastewater and 59 % of the BOD in the case of industrial wastewater. Recovery of 15 unique sequences from the amplification of 16S rRNA gene obtained from the biofilms formed on the anodes was accomplished. Phylogenetic analysis placed these sequences in the Deltaproteobacteria class. The two environmental substrates contain an important and interesting microbial diversity, showing them very promising for the construction and operation of MFC and implementing biodegradation of organic material.