Comparison of Escherichia coli and anaerobic consortia derived from compost as anodic biocatalysts in a glycerol-oxidizing microbial fuel cell

► Escherichia coli strains and anaerobic consortia could anaerobically oxidize glycerol. ► Biological glycerol oxidation led to power generation in a microbial fuel cell. ► Higher power density and glycerol conversion were achieved using a mixed culture. ► The mixed culture also produced 1,3-propanediol in the microbial fuel cell.