Biodegradation potential of used motor oil by mixed bacterial community: optimization, emulsification activity, bioelectrochemical and metagenomics analyses using single chamber microbial fuel cell.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Used motor oil (UMO) is a dangerous environmental pollutant that needs to be treated effectively. This work introduces a novel approach for producing bioelectricity and UMO biodegradation simultaneously in a single-chamber microbial fuel cell (SCMFC) using native mixed bacterial cultures.

Results

Under certain conditions (2% oil, 1% peptone, 4% inoculum, 21 days), the optimized bacterial culture degraded UMO by about 80%. Through bioelectrochemical studies, a maximum voltage of 257 mV and a power density of 36.6 mW/m² were demonstrated, showing a strong correlation between UMO removal and electricity generation. Moreover, metagenomic data showed that Firmicutes, particularly Bacillus, dominated the biofilm at roughly 65%. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Gas

SUBMITTER: Sakr EAE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12837344 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature