Clostridium ljungdahlii as a biocatalyst in microbial electrosynthesis – Effect of culture conditions on product formation
Journal article, 2022

Microbial electrosynthesis enables the production of value-added chemicals from CO2 and electrons provided by an electrode. Clostridium ljungdahlii is an electroactive acetogen that potentially could be used in microbial electrosynthesis systems. However, the optimal operational parameters for microbial electrosynthesis using C. ljungdahlii are not known. Here, we explored the effects of yeast extract, pH, and cathode potential. A low initial pH increased the rate of acetate production from CO2 and H2 in serum bottle cultures. When cultivated in bioelectrochemical systems, the optimal coulombic efficiency (i.e. close to 100 %) was observed at a cathode potential between −0.8 V and −1.0 V, while the highest productivity was reached at −1.0 V. Addition of yeast extract to the medium was needed to ensure reproducible results. Using cyclic voltammetry, we detected hydrogen-mediated extracellular electron transfer of C. ljungdahlii during growth on CO2 in a bioelectrochemical system. These results show that operational parameters should be chosen carefully to maximise the efficiency of microbial electrosynthesis.

Cathode potential

CO 2

Yeast extract

Clostridium ljungdahlii

Microbial electrosynthesis

Author

Chaeho Im

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology

Kaspar Valgepea

University of Tartu

Oskar Modin

Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Yvonne Nygård

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Industrial Biotechnology

Bioresource Technology Reports

2589014X (eISSN)

Vol. 19 101156

Subject Categories

Analytical Chemistry

Bioprocess Technology

Other Chemical Engineering

DOI

10.1016/j.biteb.2022.101156

More information

Latest update

8/2/2022 8