Genetic identification of the bioanode and biocathode of a microbial electrolysis cell

Identificación genética del bioánodo y biocátodo de una celda de electrolisis microbiana

R. Valdez-Ojeda¹*, M. Aguilar-Espinosa², L. Gómez-Roque¹, B. Canto-Canché³, RM. Escobedo Gracia-Medrano², J. Domínguez-Maldonado, L. Alzate-Gaviria¹

¹ Unidad de Energía Renovable. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán. (CICY). Mérida, Yucatán. Calle 43 No. 1-30, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, C.P. 97200. México. *Corresponding author. E-mail: dubi@cicy.mx Tel. (52)999- 942-83-30, Fax (52) 999-981-39-00.

³ Unidad de Biotecnología. Unidad de Energía Renovable. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán. (CICY). Mérida, Yucatán. Calle 43 No. 1-30, Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, C.P. 97200. México.

Received September 4, 2013.
Accepted December 31, 2013.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the microorganisms present on the graphite cloth of the bioanode and biocathode of a Microbial Electrolysis Cell (MEC) using 16S ribosomal RNA gene cloning and sequencing. The results obtained indicated that the bioanode clones were related with the phyla: Firmicutes (15.3%) Proteobacteria (7.6%), Bacteroidetes (30.7%), and Ignavibacteriae (7.6%). Conversely, the biocathode clones were related with the phylum Proteobacteria (38.4%). The bioanode clones were related with species identified previously in MECs and Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs). However, the biocathode clones were related with Rhodopseudomonas palustris, which have not been reported for hydrogen production by MEC. R. palustris probably should be involved into hydrogen production of 0.011 m³ H₂/m³ cathode liquid volume per day with an applied voltage of 1 V.

Keywords: exoelectrogenic bacteria, hydrogen generation, Rhodopseudomonas palustris, hydrogenase, MEC.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue la identificación de microorganismos presentes en la tela de grafito del biocátodo y bioánodo de una Celda de Electrólisis Microbiana (CEM), utilizando clonación y secuenciación del gen 16S del RNA ribosomal. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que las clonas del bioánodo se relacionaron con los filos Firmicutes (15.3%), Proteobacteria (7.6%), Bacteroidetes (30.7%), and Ignavibacteriae (7.6%). Mientras que las clonas del biocátodo se relacionaron con el filo Proteobacteria (38.4%). Las clonas del bioánodo se relacionaron con especies identificadas previamente en CEM y Celdas de Combustible Microbiana (CCM). Sin embargo, las clonas del biocátodo se relacionaron con Rhodopseudomonas palustris, la cual no había sido reportada para la producción de hidrógeno a través de CEM. Los resultados sugieren la participación de esta especie en la producción de 0.011 m³ H₂/m³ por volumen líquido de cátodo al día aplicando un voltaje de 1.

Palabras clave: bacteria exoelectrogénica, generación de hidrogeno, Rhodopseodomonas palustris, hidrogenasa, CEM.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support granted by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT, Mexico) project No. 149135 and 166371. Also wish to thank Miguel Tzec Sima and Tanit Toledano Thompson for their assistance with this research.

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