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Engineering Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer for Enhanced Methanogenic Performance

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Abstract

Producing biogas from organic waste streams through anaerobic digestion (AD) is a well-established bioenergy technology. Efficient electron transfer between syntrophic bacteria and methanogens is critical for balancing acidogenesis and methanogenesis, which is necessary for stable digester operation. The recently discovered direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) links syntrophic partners via cell-to-cell electrical connections without using diffusive electron carriers such as H2. Promoting DIET by adding conductive materials has been suggested as a possible method to accelerate syntrophic degradation of organic compounds, and many studies have demonstrated the enhancement of methanogenesis by the addition of conductive materials. Although further research is needed for practical applications, accumulated evidence indicates that engineering DIET is a promising strategy to enhance the performance and stability of AD processes. A few recent studies have also demonstrated the scale-up potential of DIET-aided AD.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2020R1A2C2004368).

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  1. Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Republic of Korea

    Changsoo Lee

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  1. Department of Microbiology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

    Arindam Sinharoy

  2. Department of Microbiology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

    Piet N. L. Lens

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Lee, C. (2022). Engineering Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer for Enhanced Methanogenic Performance. In: Sinharoy, A., Lens, P.N.L. (eds) Renewable Energy Technologies for Energy Efficient Sustainable Development. Applied Environmental Science and Engineering for a Sustainable Future. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87633-3_2

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