<i>In Situ</i> Laccase Biocathode Performance Assessment in Dual-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) optimization requires a high performing and environmentally friendly cathode. Enzyme supplementation is an appropriate strategy towards the acceleration of redox reactions mediated by oxygen. Laccase display interesting features in this kinetic framework and are biologically produced, namely by some fungi species. Therefore, white rot fungi Trametes versicolor was immobilized in synthetic supports and fixed in the MFC cathode chamber, while bioelectricity production was monitored along with Lcc activity and organic matter removal. Current density measured in the MFC supplemented with fungi was 2.1 times higher (42.81±4.91 mA·m-2) than current density obtained in the control MFC (absence of fungus in the cathode chamber, 20.31±4.30 mA·m-2). This performance corresponded to the maximum Lcc activity (23.08 U·L-1) that occurred after a glycerol pulse. This work evidence that Lcc continuously synthesized by T. versicolor immobilized in the MFC cathode is a promising approach to enhance MFC power performance.