Enhanced metabolic and redox activity of vascular aquatic plant Lemna valdiviana under polarization in Direct Photosynthetic Plant Fuel Cell

•Current density reaching 226 ± 11 mА/m2 was obtained with Lemna valdiviana-DPPFC.•Duckweeds produce endogenous electron mediator as a response to polarization.•Mitochondrial respiratory processes have an impact to electricity generation.•Polarization enhances duckweed protein and carbohydrates content.•DPPFC is proposed as a feasible technology for duckweed farming.

In this study, duckweed species Lemna valdiviana was investigated as a photoautotrophycally grown biocatalyst in recently developed Direct Photosynthetic Plant Fuel Cell. Stable current outputs, reaching maximum of 226 ± 11 mА/m2, were achieved during the operating period. The electricity production is associated with electrons generated through the light-dependent reactions in the chloroplasts as well as the respiratory processes in the mitochondria and transferred to the anode via endogenous electron shuttle, synthesized by the plants as a specific response to the polarization. In parallel, a considerable increase in the content of proteins (47%) and reserve carbohydrates (44%) of duckweeds grown under polarization conditions was established by means of biochemical analyses. This, combined with the electricity generation, makes the technology a feasible approach for the duckweed farming.

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