Analysis of a Genetic Adaptation for Glycerol Utilization: Implications for Microbial Fuel Cells

Abstract

Biodiesel promises a renewable source of energy yet is unable to be an economically viable alternative to petroleum. One way to solve this is to convert glycerol, a by-product of the biodiesel production process, to higher value commodities. Shewanella oneidensis can respire insoluble extracellular substrates such as electrodes. Furthermore, when the pGUT2PET plasmid is transformed into wild type S. oneidensis, the non-redox balanced conversion of glycerol to ethanol is permitted. This engineered bacterium permits the generation of two higher value products (ethanol and electricity) from the original glycerol feedstock. Since any future industrial application of this microbe will necessitate optimization of all its parameters, we were interested in studying how S. oneidensis grows faster on glycerol.