Microbial electrosynthesis of solvents and alcoholic biofuels from nutrient waste: A review

- Fermentation of carbon resource materials into solvents and biofuels by the aid of electrolysis cell is reviewed.
- Influence of significant factors on electro-bioreactor operation and electron transfer mechanism are investigated.
- Types of microorganisms and bioreactors are introduced.
- Future perspectives and challenges are outlined.

Using renewable resources to produce chemicals and fuels is increasing. Organic materials from wastes and carbon dioxide are renewable and serve as alternative sources for the production of biofuels and biochemicals. This review provides a survey of solvents and alcohols production from organic matter by microbial electrosynthesis (MES) as a new emerging technology. Using electricity-assisted system in anaerobic microorganisms metabolism (biocatalysts) showed improvement in solvent production compared to conventional fermentation methods. Electrotrophs, the kind of microbial strains which can accept electron from cathode to reduce organic carbon source materials to valuable biochemicals is of interest nowadays. Glucose, glycerol, and other organic compounds could be converted into high value added bio-solvents, such as ethanol, butanol, acetone, and propanediol. This review addresses electricity-driven microbial synthesis of chemicals especially solvents and alcohols by reduction of multi-carbon substrates considering the characteristics and advantages of MES.

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