Microbial electrosynthesis: Carbon dioxide sequestration via bioelectrochemical system

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) has emerged out with immense potential as by means of microorganisms, we now can, not only produce a variety of chemicals and fuels sustainably but also accelerate or enhance bioremediation. Microbial electrolysis cells and the microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are obvious in this particular context as they mutually utilize microorganisms so as to oxidize inorganic and/or organic matter at the anode and create electrical power and/or H₂, correspondingly. The revelation that metabolism in microorganisms could also be run with the help of electrical current has freshly directed to a surfeit of supplementary applications in the production of biochemicals as well as biofuels which are thought to be extremely electron exhaustive. Remarkably, the microbial production of certain biochemicals, termed MES, provides a highly enticing, novel track for the generation of beneficial goods from electricity and/ or even wastewater. This review addresses the principles of this process, challenges faced by this process at present and its possibility in the future, and opportunities that the process has promised to bring in the near future of MES. This review, in the end, proposes a side-by-side comparison between carbon dioxide and organic substrate, and glucose and electricity as a source of reducing power correspondingly.