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Application of rotten rice as a substrate for bacterial species to generate energy and the removal of toxic metals from wastewater through microbial fuel cells

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Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are the efficient and sustainable approach for the removal of toxic metals and generate energy concurrently. This article highlighted the effective use of rotten rice as an organic source for bacterial species to generate electricity and decrease the metal concentrations from wastewater. The obtained results were corresponding to the unique MFCs operation where the 510 mV voltage was produced within 14-day operation with 1000 Ω external resistance. The maximum power density and current density were found to be 2.9 mW/m2 and 168.42 mA/m2 with 363.6 Ω internal resistance. Similarly, the maximum metal removal efficiency was found to be 82.2% (Cd), 95.71% (Pb), 96.13% (Cr), 89.50% (Ni), 89.82 (Co), 99.50% (Ag), and 99.88% (Cu). In the biological test, it was found that Lysinibacillus strains, Chryseobacterium strains, Escherichia strains, Bacillus strains are responsible for energy generation and metal removal. Furthermore, a multiparameter optimization revealed that MFCs are the best approach for a natural environment with no special requirements. Lastly, the working mechanism of MFCs and future recommendations are enclosed.

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Acknowledgements

This research article was financially supported by Universiti Sains Malaysia, (Malaysia) under the Research Grant; 304/PKIMIA/6501153/E128.

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The authors confirm that all data underlying the findings are fully available without restriction. Data can be obtained after submitting a request to the corresponding/first author.

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Contributions

Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim, Asim Ali Yaqoob: Conceptualization. Najwa Najihah Mohamad Daud, Asim Ali Yaqoob: Methodology, writing-original draft preparation, visualization, electromicrobiology investigation. Akil Ahmad: English editing and revision of the manuscript. Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim: Supervision, funding acquisition. This article has been read and approved by all listed authors.

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Correspondence to Asim Ali Yaqoob or Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim.

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Responsible Editor: Weiming Zhang

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Daud, N.N.M., Ahmad, A., Yaqoob, A.A. et al. Application of rotten rice as a substrate for bacterial species to generate energy and the removal of toxic metals from wastewater through microbial fuel cells. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 62816–62827 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15104-w

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