Microbial electrosynthesis: feeding microbes electricity to convert carbon dioxide and water to multicarbon extracellular organic compounds.

TitleMicrobial electrosynthesis: feeding microbes electricity to convert carbon dioxide and water to multicarbon extracellular organic compounds.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsNevin KP, Woodard TL, Franks AE, Summers ZM, Lovley DR
JournalMBio
Volume1
Issue2
Date Published2010
ISSN2150-7511
KeywordsBioelectric Energy Sources, Carbon Dioxide, Electricity, Organic Chemicals, Veillonellaceae, Water
Abstract

The possibility of providing the acetogenic microorganism Sporomusa ovata with electrons delivered directly to the cells with a graphite electrode for the reduction of carbon dioxide to organic compounds was investigated. Biofilms of S. ovata growing on graphite cathode surfaces consumed electrons with the reduction of carbon dioxide to acetate and small amounts of 2-oxobutyrate. Electrons appearing in these products accounted for over 85% of the electrons consumed. These results demonstrate that microbial production of multicarbon organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water with electricity as the energy source is feasible.

DOI10.1128/mBio.00103-10
Alternate JournalMBio
PubMed ID20714445