Electrotrophs that Thrive in High Temperatures for the Microbial Electrosynthesis of Organic Materials (Microbial Electrosynthesis)

Abstract

Electrotrophs are a type of microorganism that can use electrons as an energy source for metabolic processes, such as the synthesis of organic compounds. This makes them ideal for use in microbial electrosynthesis (MES), a technology that harnesses these organisms to produce valuable chemicals and fuels from carbon dioxide and other renewable sources. Microbial electrosynthesis is a viable technique for converting carbon dioxide to various organic products and transportation fuels, but it needs to be optimized before it can be commercialized. Product generation rates may be accelerated by cathodes that facilitate electron transport between the electrode and the microorganism. High temperature electrotrophs are a class of these microorganisms that can grow and function at elevated
temperatures, making them particularly suitable for use in MES processes that require high temperatures. One of the main advantages of using high-temperature electrotrophs for MES is that they can operate at temperatures that are significantly higher than those used in traditional biological
processes, which typically range from 20-40°C. This makes them particularly suitable that require high-temperature conditions, such as the production of biofuels from lignocellulosic feedstocks, the conversion of waste materials into value-added products, and the production of fine
chemicals. To test this hypothesis, biofilms of Sporomusa ovata, that are effective at acetic electrosynthesis, where cultivated on a variety of electrocatalysts and the rate of acetic synthesis was recorded over time.