Advances in the Application of Quorum Sensing to Regulate Electrode Biofilms in Bioelectrochemical Systems

Abstract

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are an emerging technology for wastewater treatment and resource recovery. These systems facilitate electron transfer between microorganisms and electrodes, enabling their application in various fields, such as electricity production, bioremediation, biosensors, and biocatalysis. However, electrode biofilms, which play a critical role in BESs, face several challenges (e.g., a long acclimation period, low attached biomass, high electron transfer resistance, and poor tolerance and stability) that limit the development of this technology. Quorum sensing (QS) is a communication method among microorganisms that can enhance the performance of BESs by regulating electrode biofilms. QS regulation can positively impact electrode biofilms by enhancing extracellular electron transfer (EET), biofilm formation, cellular activity, the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and the construction of microbial community. In this paper, the characteristics of anode electrogenic biofilms and cathode electrotrophic biofilms in BESs, EET mechanisms, and the main factors affecting biofilm formation were summarized. Additionally, QS regulation mechanisms for biofilm formation, strategies for enhancing and inhibiting QS, and the application of QS regulation for electrode biofilms in BESs were systematically reviewed and discussed. This paper provides valuable background information and insights for future research and development of BES platforms based on QS regulation of electrode biofilms.