Factors affecting current production in microbial fuel cells using different industrial wastewaters

► MFCs removed >80% organic matter from wastewaters but only those fed paper wastewater produced high currents. ► Anodic biofilms fed paper wastewater were the only ones showing electrochemical activity. ► Electrochemical activity was related to the diffusion of a redox compound (mediator). ► Current production was not limited by the type of wastewater used but by the microbial anodic biofilm composition.