Bioelectricity Generation and System Scaling in Microbial Fuel Cells Driven by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PPNB101

The rising demand for sustainable energy emphasizes microbial fuel cells as promising systems that couple bioelectricity generation with waste remediation. In this study, a cellulolytic and electroactive bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PPNB101, was isolated from industrially impacted soil and identified through biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The strain exhibited dual functionality, effectively degrading cellulose and transferring electrons extracellularly. The cellulase activity increased significantly from 2.10 ± 0.08 to 3.00 ± 0.12 mg·mL⁻¹ glucose (t (6) = 5.42, p < 0.01), with a strong growth-activity correlation (F (3, 18) = 24.7, p < 0.001). In parallel, phenazine-like metabolites accumulated progressively (F (4, 20) = 19.5, p < 0.001). A single-chamber, membrane-less MFC configured with an aluminum wire anode and graphite cathode achieved an open circuit voltage of 751 mV and a maximum power density of ~ 168 mW·m⁻² at the current density ~ 913 mA·m⁻², with V–I regression showing excellent fit (R² = 0.94, p < 0.001). COD removal reached 48.1% ± 2.3, significantly higher than the abiotic control, and Coulombic efficiency was 39.7% ± 1.8. Four MFCs in series delivered a voltage of 1.67–2.04 V over a prolonged duration to power a 2 V LED, whereas nine units produced ~ 6.5 V and intermittently powered a 6 V lamp. Effluent analysis indicated its potential as a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer. These results highlight a sustainable approach for transforming cellulosic biomass into renewable energy through the use of low-cost and recyclable materials, underscoring its potential application in the valorization of agricultural residues.