Iron and manganese oxides enhance electron output efficiency of Clostridium pasteurianum

[Background] Fermentative dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria, which are capable of reducing metallic oxides, get energy from fermentation. Little is known about how metallic oxides affect electron output efficiency of fermentative dissimilatory metal-reducing microorganisms. [Objective] This study was conducted to explore the influence of iron and manganese oxides (Fe_2O_3/MNO_2) on electron output efficiency. [Methods] Different concentrations of Fe_2O_3/MNO_2 were added into fermented system containing glucose and inoculated 5% C. pasteurianum. Electrochemical activity of C. pasteurianum was detected. The concentrations of Fe(Ⅱ) and Mn(Ⅱ) were measured by ferrozine spectrophotometry and formaldoxime method. Fermentation substrate and metabolites of C. pasteurianum were detected by gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Lastly, we calculated the electron output efficiency. [Results] The current density peaked with the value of about 0.93 mA/m~2. The concentrations of Fe(Ⅱ) and Mn(Ⅱ) gradually accumulated. The consumption of glucose was increased by 9.4%/7.7%, Meanwhile, acetate production was increased by 37.5%/25.0%, and butyrate production was increased by 22.7%/6.8%. Additionally, hydrogen production was increased by 21.6%/9.8%, and the total electron output efficiency was increased by 24.27%/10.82%, respectively. The pH values between experimental group and control are no significant difference. [Conclusion] This study shows that iron and manganese oxides can improve the electron output efficiency of C. pasteurianum by increasing glucose consumption and buffering pH value. The results provide evidence for revealing the effects of multivalent metal oxides on the electron output of fermentative dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria, and further expand our understanding of the interaction mechanism between multivalent metal oxides and fermentative dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria.</p