Optimization of microbial fuel cell process using a novel consortium for aromatic hydrocarbon bioremediation and bioelectricity generation.

Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is an innovative bio-electrochemical approach which converts biochemical energy inherent in wastewater into electrical energy, thus contributing to circular economy. Five electrogenic bacteria, Kocuria rosea (GTPAS76), two strains of Bacillus circulans (GTPO28 and GTPAS54), and two strains of Corynebacterium vitaeruminis (GTPO38 and GTPO42) were isolated from a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) and were used individually as well as in consortium form to run double chambered "H" type microbial fuel cell. Individually they could produce voltage in the range of 0.4-0.7 V in the MFC systems. Consortium developed using GTPO28, GTPO38, GTPAS54 and GTPAS76 were capable of producing voltage output of 0.8 V with 81.81 % and 64 % COD and BOD reduction, respectively. The EPS production capacity and electricity generation by the isolated bacteria correlated significantly (r = 0.72). Various parameters like, effect of preformed biofilm, length of salt bridge and its reuse, aeration, substrate concentration and external resistance were studied in detail. The study emphasizes on improving the commercialization aspect of MFC with repeated use of salt bridge and improving wastewater treatment potential after optimization of MFC system. Polarization curve and power density trends were studied in optimized MFC. A maximum power density and current density achieved were 18.15 mW/m2 and 370.37 mA/m2, respectively using 5 mM sodium benzoate. This study reports the use of sodium benzoate as a substrate along with reusing of the salt bridge in MFC study with promising results for BOD and COD reduction, proving it to be futuristic technology for bio-based circular ecosystem development.