The MFC relies heavily on microorganisms to act as biocatalysts that facilitate the oxidation of

the substrate and generate bioelectricity by transferring electrons directly to the anodes or via an

electron intermediary. The Pseudomonas, Shewanella, Geobacter, and Clostridium species,

among others, are excellent exoelectrogens used to efficiently produce energy from organic

waste. Understanding the intricacies of electron transfer from organic materials to the anode

surface by the microbes is crucial in elucidating the significance of microorganisms in MFC

performance. Anaerobic bacteria aid in the transfer of electrons from organic materials to

appropriate electron acceptors, while aerobic bacteria are limited in electron transfer due to

oxygen. Some bacterial surfaces may not facilitate electron transfer as they use the electrons for

their development and metabolism by producing ATPs rather than transferring them to the

electrode surface. In such scenarios, mediators such as Mn4+, Fe3+, and neutral red increase

electron transfer. Consequently, whether the MFC system comprises mediators or not,

microorganisms play a vital role in enhancing electron transport by producing electricity by

transferring electrons to the anode surface in bursty patterns of varying lengths and complexities.

The transfer of electrons from microbes to the electrode surface may occur via various distinct

phenomena, such as the direct involvement of membrane-bound cytochrome c proteins or

extracellular conductive appendages, including nanowires and conductive pili. Alternatively, it

may happen indirectly, with exogenously added redox mediators that shuttle electrons to the

electrode and self-produced or endogenous mediators. The focus of renewable energy

technologies has been on microorganisms that transmit electrons via extracellular mechanisms.

G. sulfurreducens is a well-known and well-researched organism that uses carbon-based

substrates to generate bioenergy. Using mixed cultures instead of pure cultures can significantly

increase the output of power since they can employ a wide range of substrates found in
wastewater and other organic wastes. Additionally, altering the metabolic pathways of the

microorganisms can aid in their adaptation to new environments. Biocathodes based on

microorganisms are also employed to lower the overall cost of microbial fuel cells (MFC) and

increase the field of bioremediation application. Moreover, chemically altering microorganisms

can improve their electrode adhesion, facilitating electron transfer from the anode to the

electrode surface. Genetic modification is another alternative strategy, including manipulating

the electron mediator synthesis pathway, renewal of gene monitoring circuits, and manipulation

of cofactors and other factors. Previous studies have shown that lysozyme treatment in K.

rhizophila P2-A-5 enhances electricity production from bacteria by 1.75 times. Additionally,

genetic modification of electrogenic bacteria, such as P. aeruginosa, can result in a 4-fold boost

in power output. Furthermore, adding trace amounts of Cd2+ or Cu2+ to MFCs with Shewanella

as a biocatalyst can enhance the MFC performance by 1.3-1.6 times higher than the control by

increasing riboflavin secretion and bacterial adhesion on the electrode surface. Additionally, a

low phosphate concentration can reduce the MFC start-up time.

The bacterial composition of anodes and cathodes is complex and perplexing, with a significant

fraction of Proteobacteria dominating these surfaces. Within biofilm anodes, β-Proteobacteria is

prevalent, with Thauera genera accounting for 70.1% of all β-Proteobacteria in the acetate-

enriched MFC. However, anodophilic bacteria such as Desulfovibrio, Pseudomonas, Geobacter,

and Shewanella species, members of both subclass -Proteobacteria and subclass δ-

Proteobacteria, also aid in the production of electricity through the transmission of electrons to

the anode. Moreover, denitrifying bacteria such as Comamonas, Pseudomonas,

Rhodopseudomonas, and Nitratireductor, found on both anodes and biocathodes, are capable of

electroactivity and may generate energy in the MFC system. The ability of certain autotrophic
denitrifiers such as Oligotropha carboxidovorans, Rhodopseudomonas, and Thermomonas to

operate in this system is particularly perplexing, as is the presence of Ignavibacterium and

Bellilinea, which can accelerate the denitrification process using nitrite as an electron acceptor.

Additionally, Ren's discovery of Petrimonas and Devosia genera as denitrifiers in MFCs adds to

the burstiness of the bacterial community present in these systems.

In the MFCs system, the denitrification ability of Geobacter is notably absent. When nitrate is

present in the anode chamber, the proportion of Geobacter declines significantly, while Thauera

and Pseudomonas experience a considerable surge. Exoelectrogenic bacteria from various other

genera, such as Enterobacter, Dysgonomonas, and Klebsiella, have been reported. Under

anaerobic conditions near the anode, methanogens, which account for a mere 1-6% of all

bacteria, have been observed to thrive. Methanogenesis has no bearing on power generation and

can reduce coulombic efficacy. At the cathode, AOB and NOB, belonging to the subdivisions β-

Proteobacteria and α-Proteobacteria, respectively, are genetically connected. The Nitrosomonas

genus, the primary nitrifying bacteria, is commonly found in the MFC.

Furthermore, Nitrosomonas is an autotrophic denitrifier capable of converting nitrite to nitrogen

gas. Other genera that have AOB in addition to Nitrosomonas include Nitrosopira,

Nitrosococcus, Nitrosolobus Nitrosovibrio, Phycisphaera, Aquamicrobium, and Truepera.

Nitrospira, Nitrobacter, Nitrococcus, Nitrospina, and Nitrocystis are well-known NOBs. The

AOB to total bacteria ratio increased as the DO concentration was kept constant in the cathode

chamber.