Summary
The detection of bacteria using a thionine mediated microbial fuel cell was examined. On addition of bacteria to the anode compartment of a fuel cell, a rapid increase in the current output was observed. Both the total change in the steady state current (ΔmA) and the initial rate of change of current were proportional to the numbers of bacteria added. Regression analysis of plots of log10 ΔmA against log10 bacteria ml-1 (final concentration) upon the addition of E. coli K12, Lactococcus lactis, coliform sp. A1, Micrococcus sp. M3 but not Pseudomonas sp. P5 gave reasonable correlation coefficients. Determination of the rates of respiration and thionine reduction by E. coli indicated that the transfer of metabolic electrons from the bacteria to the mediator was reasonably efficient (approx. 50%). These results are discussed with respect to the potential application of this technique for the rapid estimation of the bacterial contamination of foods.
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Patchett, R.A., Kelly, A.F. & Kroll, R.G. Use of a microbial fuel cell for the rapid enumeration of bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 28, 26–31 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00250492
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00250492