Microbial
fuel cell (MFC) is one of the clean and sustainable energy technologies, often referred to as renewable energy, and
directly chemical energy contained in organic matter into electrical
energy by using the catalytic activity of microorganisms. Cellulosic biomass is
a particularly attractive renewable resource for its abundant supply at low
cost and its neutral carbon balance. However, methanogenesis had been
negatively linked to anaerobic cellulosic power generation in MFCs. Ginseng
root is a saponin-rich plant material and red ginseng marc (RGM) has not been
reused as a high-value resource for industry although its residue contained
both electron donors and saponin, the potential power generation enhancers for
MFC. In this study, RGM was supplemented into MFC to evaluate its effects on methanogenesis
and power generation. Two-chamber H-type MFCs were established using rumen
fluid as anolyte to ferment cellulose at 2% (w/v). RGM, the residue from the
steam and press process for red ginseng beverage preparation, was freeze-dried
and ground to pass 0.5mm
sieve and added to the anode of MFC at 1% (w/v; Exp. 1) or 0.1% (Exp. 2) dose
for treatment. Open circuit voltage, voltage and current across an external
resistor were measured daily for 10d. On d10 of operation, collected biogases
were measured for total gas production and analyzed for its components. In Exp.
1, power density was between 44.0 and 97.2 with an average of 83.8mW/m2 in 1% RGM
MFCs and was between 45.2 and 76.3 with an average of 61.5mW/m2 in
control. In Exp. 2, power density was between 44.8 and 75.6 with an average of
60.9mW/m2 in 0.1% RGM MFCs and was between 45.1 and 54.1 with an average of 49.7mW/m2 in
control. Total gas production for 10d was
563 and 523mL for RGM and control, respectively, in Exp 1, and
was 546 and 477 mL for RGM and control, respectively, in Exp 2. Methane took up
58.6 and 67.9% of total gas for RGM and control, respectively, in Exp 1, and
59.1 and 67.3% of
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