BACTERIAL MUTALISM IN THE MOSSES ROOTS APPLICABLE IN BRYOPHYTA-MICROBIAL FUEL CELL

摘要

The Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology is rapidly developed the last few years. It is based on the utilization of whole microorganism cells and the conversion of a part of their biochemical energy into electrical one. The investigations of higher organisms such as plants as a future bioenergy source in the so-called Plant Microbial Fuel Cell, however, have just begun. Actually the Plant-MFC technology re-creates on a small scale the fundamental norms of the circulation of substances and energy in the nature. The energy and food balance is divided between conversion of carbon dioxide into organic compounds by using the energy of the sunlight and the photolysis with dioxygen (O2) molecule release. In the Calvin cycle the carbon fixation and reduction of carbon dioxide in the plant leaves leads to production of 3 to 6-carbon carbohydrates. These small molecular weight carbohydrates can be released by the plant roots excretion and together with the dying particles of the roots themselves assimilatedby the soil microorganisms (reducents) yielding protons and electrons. The electrons can be donated to the anode and due to the arising potential difference, to the cathode of a MFC. The bryophytes are often considered as the amphibians of the plant world. In this connection, we supposed that they could be successfully applied in plant MFC. First, because the mosses could well adapt to a constant quantity of water, which is necessary for their existence and can serve as an anolyte in MFC at the same time. The second important reason is that the plant MFC - mini ecosystem produces itself the essential for optimal microbial proliferation nutritious substances. And last but not least, such MFCs are almost zero cost systems. The aim of this ab initio study is to investigate a new type plant MFC, called by us Bryophyta-MFC (B-MFC). This technological approach is based on both natural developed species interactions combined with the MFC requirements for harvesting in situ produced bioenergy.