S.loihica PV-4 is a biofilm forming bacterium with an incredible respiratory versatility under
anoxic conditions. It can indeed use various number of electron acceptors, such as heavy
metals and solid substrates like an electrode surface., thus finding its application in diverse
field like bioremediation and bio-energy production.
S.loihica PV-4 can form electro-active biofilms on solid electrodes, an dthe electron transfer
between the electrode surface and the m.o. can occur through two main mechanism. One,
called direct electron transfer (DET), involves a network of c-type cytochromes localized in
the periplasm and outer membrane of Shewanella sp. The other, named mediated electron
transfer (MET), involves the release of soluble redox-active electron shuttles that transfer
electrons from cell-associated reductases to the electron acceptor.
Despite all members of the Shewenella spp. genus have the presence of c-type cytochromes,
the number and the order of their genes varies, and this might affect their ability to reduce
external insoluble substrates.
In this study, improved electron transfer rate characterization in S. loihica PV-4 biofilms in
potentiostat-controlled three-electrode cells was achieved. Different electrode materials were
used, as well as chemical (carbon nanotube coating and atmospheric air plasma treatments)
and physical (surface abrasion) treatment of the electrode, under various growth and
inoculum conditions.
Results confirm that carbon nanotube surface-modified electrodes improve the electron
transfer rate in thin biofilms (<5 µm), but are not feasible for power production in microbial
fuel cells, where the biofilm thickness is much greater. Atmospheric air plasma treatment is a
feasible option to increase power output in bioelectrochemical systems. However, the effects
of plasma pre-treatment are mixed, and the interplay between DET and MET must be
considered when designing optimal electrode pre-treatment.