Harnessing synergy: Specific microbial consortia in simple and complex substrate microbial fuel cell

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an innovative approach to renewable energy generation, utilising electroactive microorganisms (EAMs) to convert organic substrates into electricity while also facilitating bioremediation. Recently, there has been increasing emphasis on employing mixed microbial consortia in MFCs to enhance power generation, harnessing complex microbial interactions and syntrophic cooperation among diverse species. The choice of biocatalyst is crucial; when combined with optimal processes, MFCs can produce stable power output. However, the use of mixed microbial consortia can lead to voltage overshoots, which are influenced by the varying growth rates of the cultures involved. These overshoots can be mitigated through careful selection of biocatalysts and optimisation of the inoculum ratio. Despite significant advances in MFC design to improve performance, there is limited information on the effective integration of mixed consortia to sustain power generation. This review highlights the potential of cooperative microbial communities in enhancing MFC performance by leveraging diverse microorganisms that work synergistically. We examined various microbial consortium combinations, focusing on performance optimisation, effectiveness with simple and complex substrates, recent technological advancements, and real-world applications. We emphasise the need for further research to enhance the efficiency and scalability of MFCs, ultimately aiming to harness their full potential for sustainable energy and environmental management.