Abstract
This study presents the simulation of a MFC with Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on a metabolic flux analysis (MFA) which arises as a linear programming model that served as input for the fuel cell model. The linear model was implemented in Xpress MP? and the coupling model in Comsol Multiphysics?. The in silico model predicted maximum potentials of 0.135 V which were consistent with those obtained in the experimental cell. Afterwards, an optimization platform based on multiobjective optimization approach was implemented aimed to determine genes that increase the average cell power. cysA, cysP and rpoS mutants which were predicted to increase the power of the cell, were experimentally tested with an air cathode fuel cell finding an augment up to 35-fold in the average power density for the rpoS mutant. Power densities were obtained through experimentation in the range of [0.13 - 5] mW/m2. Electron shuttle rise was qualitative corroborated trough cyclic voltammetry tests, which allowed to visualize the augment of the peaks for rpoS mutation.
Highlights
The increasing demand of global energy has set a dramatical searching for alternatives which could be based on renewable sources yet cheap in terms of materials needed
This study presents the simulation of a microbial fuel cells (MFC) with Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on a metabolic flux analysis (MFA) which arises as a linear programming model that served as input for the fuel cell model
More importantly we found that sulfur metabolism and celullar stress plays an important role in MFC performance
Summary
The increasing demand of global energy has set a dramatical searching for alternatives which could be based on renewable sources yet cheap in terms of materials needed. Fuel cells have been identified as one of the most promising technologies to supplement energy to low scale devices. They generate electricity through oxidizing substrates coupled with an adequate electrons sinks. On the other hand bacteria can be used for analogous purposes as they are capable of catalyze the conversion of organic matter into electricity using microbial fuel cells (MFC). In this case, the anode promotes the formation of biofilms while allowing electron transfer. There exist facultative anaerobic species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) known to produce phenazine derivates partially regulated by quorum sensing [1]
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