Assessment and Application of Plant-Bacterial Electrochemical Systems in Simultaneous Bioelectricity Generation and Biodegradation of Commonly Used Plant Pesticides
Author(s):
Ogoamaka, I.A.1, Nzenwa, P.O.1, & Oparaugo, O.J.2
Journal:
Academians Journal of Natural and Biosciences Studies
Abstract
The study was conducted to explore potentials of electrochemical systems in simultaneous bioelectricity generation and biodegradation of commonly used plant pesticides. Sampling of various crop species and microbial isolation for subsequent electrogenic characterization of isolates and bioelectricity generation was carried out at the teaching and research laboratory of the department of animal and environmental biology, imo state university Owerri. Electrogenic screening of pure culture using Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) measurements in biolelectrochemical reactors and Cyclic Voltammetry were carried out. Bioelectricity generation measurements using multimeters and calculations of Voltage, Current, Power and Coulombic efficiency in Open and Closed-circuit systems were calculated. A total of 102 microorganisms were isolated and screened for electrogenicity. Samples from vegetables harboured the highest number of electrogenic isolates among all sites assessed. Four microorganisms elicited electrogenicity. Bioelectricity generation experiments showed that P. aeruginosa was the most electrogenic strain, eliciting the highest current of 556.03 ± 1.21 mA/m2. The least current was observed for the Bacillus strain (554.11 ± 0.35 mA/m2). All isolates proved to be good electrogens and efficient candidates for optimising bioelectricity production.
Keywords:
biodegradation, plant pesticides; wastewater; electroactivity; bioenergy