Quorum sensing improves start-up and stability of sulfate-reducing biocathode in autotrophic microbial electrolytic cell for low-organic-carbon sulfate wastewater treatment

Xiang, J; Pan, Y; Shi, K; Yao, Y; Cheng, D; Jiang, Q; Gao, Y; Xue, J; Qiao, Y

Quorum sensing improves start-up and stability of sulfate-reducing biocathode in autotrophic microbial electrolytic cell for low-organic-carbon sulfate wastewater treatment

Xiang, J Pan, Y Shi, K Yao, Y Cheng, D Jiang, Q Gao, Y Xue, J Qiao, Y

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2024, 12, (5), pp. 113725
Issue Date:: 2024-10-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Xiang, J
dc.contributor.author	Pan, Y
dc.contributor.author	Shi, K
dc.contributor.author	Yao, Y
dc.contributor.author	Cheng, D
dc.contributor.author	Jiang, Q
dc.contributor.author	Gao, Y
dc.contributor.author	Xue, J
dc.contributor.author	Qiao, Y
dc.date.accessioned	2025-03-17T05:30:05Z
dc.date.available	2025-03-17T05:30:05Z
dc.date.issued	2024-10-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2024, 12, (5), pp. 113725
dc.identifier.issn	2213-3437
dc.identifier.issn	2213-3437
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/185906
dc.description.abstract	The utilization of autotrophic microorganisms in microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is promising for the treatment of industrial wastewater that lacks carbon source and electron donor. However, constructing an autotrophic biocathode is time-consuming, and the population induction technologies may alleviate this challenge. In this study, N-butyryl-L-Homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) was added to the MEC biocathode run for 60 cycles to investigate quorum sensing effects on sulfate reduction efficiency, electrochemical properties, microbial community structure and functional genes. The results showed that the addition of C4-HSL significantly expedited the startup of the MEC cathode with a 47.1 % reduction. Its electrochemical performance was also improved, with the cyclic voltammetry area averaging 1.19 times higher than that without the addition of the signaling molecule. Under the regulation of C4-HSL, the biodiversity in the initiation phase became richer. The relative abundance of Desulfobacterota and sulfate reduction-related functional genes increased to 4 times and 1.43 times of the control, respectively. This discovery reveals the potential of signaling molecules in enhancing the construction of sulfate wastewater treatment reactors and improving the performance of autotrophic microorganisms, aiming to improve wastewater treatment efficiency and broaden the practical possibilities of MEC.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jece.2024.113725
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.subject	0306 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural), 0904 Chemical Engineering, 0907 Environmental Engineering
dc.subject.classification	3406 Physical chemistry
dc.subject.classification	4004 Chemical engineering
dc.subject.classification	4011 Environmental engineering
dc.title	Quorum sensing improves start-up and stability of sulfate-reducing biocathode in autotrophic microbial electrolytic cell for low-organic-carbon sulfate wastewater treatment
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	12
utslib.for	0306 Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
utslib.for	0904 Chemical Engineering
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
utslib.copyright.status	recently_added	*
dc.date.updated	2025-03-17T05:30:02Z
pubs.issue	5
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	12
utslib.citation.issue	5

Abstract:

The utilization of autotrophic microorganisms in microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is promising for the treatment of industrial wastewater that lacks carbon source and electron donor. However, constructing an autotrophic biocathode is time-consuming, and the population induction technologies may alleviate this challenge. In this study, N-butyryl-L-Homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) was added to the MEC biocathode run for 60 cycles to investigate quorum sensing effects on sulfate reduction efficiency, electrochemical properties, microbial community structure and functional genes. The results showed that the addition of C4-HSL significantly expedited the startup of the MEC cathode with a 47.1 % reduction. Its electrochemical performance was also improved, with the cyclic voltammetry area averaging 1.19 times higher than that without the addition of the signaling molecule. Under the regulation of C4-HSL, the biodiversity in the initiation phase became richer. The relative abundance of Desulfobacterota and sulfate reduction-related functional genes increased to 4 times and 1.43 times of the control, respectively. This discovery reveals the potential of signaling molecules in enhancing the construction of sulfate wastewater treatment reactors and improving the performance of autotrophic microorganisms, aiming to improve wastewater treatment efficiency and broaden the practical possibilities of MEC.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/185906