Contribution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to bioelectrochemicals systems for obtaining energy and products from glycerol

• Grant number: 21/07294-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2021
• End date: March 29, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Valeria Reginatto Spiller
• Grantee: Ana Clara Bonizol Zani
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) are bioelectrochemical systems that convert chemical energy into electrical energy through the microorganisms used as biocatalysts. These microorganisms, called electrogenic, grow at the MFC anode forming a biofilm and releasing electrons to an electrode and finally to the cathode. The potential difference between the anode and cathode results in electricity. Pseudomonas spp. are promising biocatalysts of these systems, because they synthesize pigments, phenazine molecules, which assist in the transfer of its own electrons and/or other microorganisms. only strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are capable of synthesizing pigments, particularly in the presence of glycerol (C3). During the FAPESP Project 2018/12471-1, it was verified the predominance of Pseudomonas in MFC biofilms used for oxidation of glycerol. Previous results have shown that pigment formation increases the electric current. However, the conditions of the MFC for the concomitant formation of pigment and electricity are still uncertain. Therefore, this project aims to: I) evaluate the potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, which produce different pigments, as biocatalysts in MFCs; II) improve MFCs operating conditions with Pseudomonas; III) relate the type of pigment to the performance of the MFC. therefore it is expected to elect the most promising strain of P. aeruginosa to be used in co-culture with Clostridium for the oxi-reduction of glycerol and generation of 1,3 propanediol, a product with high added value.(AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

NARCIZO, JULIA PEREIRA; MANCILIO, LUCCA BONJY KIKUTI; PEDRINO, MATHEUS; GUAZZARONI, MARIA-EUGENIA; DE ANDRADE, ADALGISA RODRIGUES; REGINATTO, VALERIA. A New Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolate Enhances Its Unusual 1,3-Propanediol Generation from Glycerol in Bioelectrochemical System. CATALYSTS, v. 13, n. 7, p. 13-pg., 2023-07-01. (21/07294-6, 21/01655-7, 21/09375-3, 22/04024-0, 21/01748-5)