A Study on Bioelectricity Production by the Synergistic Action of Bacillus tequilensis DMR-5 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa DMR-3 Isolated from Rumen Fluid

Abstract

The present study focuses on the bioelectricity production from pure culture of Bacillus tequilensis DMR-5 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa DMR-3. Both the cultures were isolated from the anodic biofilm of pre-run MFC’s with rumen fluid as anodic substance. They were checked for the power production for 10 days both as pure isolates and co-culture. Bacillus tequilensis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa produced 250 mV and 20 mA, 310 mV and 10 mA respectively. Both these bacteria when used as mixed culture (110×10⁵CFU/mL) produced 450 mV and 40 mA. The biofilm of the anode was taken for cyclic voltammetry study and the oxidation and reduction peaks observed in both forward and reverse scan confirmed the electrochemical nature of the bacteria. Based on the power readings measured and cyclic voltammograms obtained, it has been found that the co-culture produced more power than the pure cultures when used individually in the Microbial fuel cell.