DEGRADATION OF AZO DYE AND ELECTRICITY GENERATION USING YEAST MEDIATED MICROBIAL FUEL CELL

Abstract

In the present study, the efficiency of yeast mediated microbial fuel cell (MFC) was investigated towards degradation of Trypan blue (azo dye) and electricity generation. Five yeast strains viz. SC1, SC2, SCD1, SCD2, and SCD3 were isolated from different sources. The internal resistance of yeast isolates was tested using ferric oxide reduction method. To maximize the power density of MFC, NaCl was added to the medium and NaCl tolerance of yeast strains was tested. Among the five isolates, SC1 and SCD2 showed maximum ferric oxide reduction and NaCl tolerance. Initially, 5 % of SC1 and SCD2 yeast culture were inoculated in wastewater containing azo dye (100 µg/ml) in a H-type MFC chamber and 250 ml conical flask used as a control. Increased growth of yeast strain in MFC chamber was noted compared to conical flask culture. The data of electricity generation was taken for 15 days and electricity generation was measured using the multimeter. Maximum electricity generation was noted in SC1 (950mV) followed by SCD2 (750mV). In addition, SC1 could degrade azo dye more efficiently than SCD2. Therefore, it may be concluded thatSC1 yeast mediated MFC can be used as a potential technology for electricity generation and degradation of azo dye in wastewater.