Vitamin B-2 makes Electricity from Shewanella Bacteria
Vitamin B-2 revealed as secret ingredient in process capable of generating usable electricity from common bacteria
Researchers have this week revealed that they have unlocked one of the secrets surrounding certain strains of bacteria that are capable of generating electricity, in a breakthrough that could one day allow power plants to generate renewable energy from pools of bacteria.
Scientists have long known that Shewanella bacteria, which are commonly found in soil and water, are capable of converting simple organic compounds, such as lactic acid, into electricity. However, until now they have been unsure as to what drives the process.
Now researchers at the University of Minnesota's BioTechnology Institute claim to have come up with the answer after observing that by increasing vitamin B-2 levels the bacteria produced more power.
The researchers found that bacteria growing on electrodes naturally produced the vitamin B-2, which was able to carry electrons from the living cells to the electrodes. Consequently, rates of electricity production from the bacteria increased almost fivefold as the vitamin accumulated.
Researchers have this week revealed that they have unlocked one of the secrets surrounding certain strains of bacteria that are capable of generating electricity, in a breakthrough that could one day allow power plants to generate renewable energy from pools of bacteria.
Scientists have long known that Shewanella bacteria, which are commonly found in soil and water, are capable of converting simple organic compounds, such as lactic acid, into electricity. However, until now they have been unsure as to what drives the process.
Now researchers at the University of Minnesota's BioTechnology Institute claim to have come up with the answer after observing that by increasing vitamin B-2 levels the bacteria produced more power.
The researchers found that bacteria growing on electrodes naturally produced the vitamin B-2, which was able to carry electrons from the living cells to the electrodes. Consequently, rates of electricity production from the bacteria increased almost fivefold as the vitamin accumulated.
Labels: biotechnology, electricity
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