Novel photobioelectrochemical systems based on purple phototrophic bacteria

The advancement of cutting-edge photobioelectrochemical systems, designed to harness the dual capabilities of purple phototrophic bacteria, presents an exciting frontier in biotechnology. These systems hold immense promise for rapidly advancing light and carbon conversion into either electricity or high-value chemical products. This chapter delves into an in-depth exploration of the metabolic attributes inherent to this remarkable bacterial group and their potential applications within the domains of environmental technology and biotechnology. The primary focal point is on the concept of photobioelectrosynthesis, where the direct capture and utilization of carbon emerge as a highly encouraging avenue. Furthermore, recent attention has been dedicated to exploiting these systems for environmental applications, particularly in the transformation of waste and wastewater into prized commodities such as microbial proteins, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and fine chemicals. Contemporary research efforts primarily center around two key areas: the pursuit of optimized materials to enhance electricity conductivity and the development of tailored reactors capable of surmounting the inherent constraints associated with light-driven processes. In this context, fluidized-like systems have emerged as a particularly promising alternative, especially when the goal is to maximize biomass yields.