Enhanced Rhodococcus pyridinivorans sp. strain HR-1 anode performance in microbial fuel cells by adding polymyxin B sulfate

In this study, the power output of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) inoculated with R. pyridinivorans sp. strain HR-1 has been successfully improved by the addition of the antibiotic polymyxin B sulfate. Pores are observed clearly in SEM images while CV measurement shows an enhancement of electrochemical activity. EIS results indicate a decline in internal resistance. The pores are proven to improve electron transfer, resulting in an improvement of power output. To the best of our knowledge, this is a novel approach to studying how antibiotics act on bacteria in an MFC and the first report of creating pores with a polypeptide antibiotic in an MFC.