980036: Microbial Utilization of Electricity

The promotion of reductive processes in a biological system requires an electrochemical bioreactor system having a cathode compartment equipped with a cathode and an anode compartment equipped with an anode. The cathode and anode compartments are separated by a cation selective membrane such that the cathode and anode are connected by a conductive material to a power supply. MSU’s invention details novel reductive processes in which biological systems are promoted by providing an electrochemical bioreactor system with cathode and anode compartments; placing a neutral red and biological catalyst Trichosporon capitatum in the cathode compartment; and applying a current between an anode and a cathode of the respective compartment resulting in a portion of the neutral red being reduced. Applications This technology is a useful method for promoting reductive processes in a biological system. IP Protection Status Covered by 3 US patents: 6270649 6495023 and 7459223 Additional patents pending