Low-cost biofuel cell for investigation of energy metabolism

• Main Authors: Gustavo Silveira, Masaharu Ikegaki, José Maurício Schneedorf
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, SBBq 2017-10-01
• Series: Journal of Biochemistry Education
• Subjects: biocélulas a combustível; química verde; vias metabólicas
• Online Access: http://bioquimica.org.br/revista/ojs/index.php/REB/article/view/695

This work describes the construction of a biofuel cell from low-cost materials and their use in college and undergraduate practical classes. The system employs the baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as micro-organism responsible for the generation of electric potential, whose interaction with the electrode is mediated by methylene blue. Simple experiments are proposed to evaluate the effects of different substrates, inhibitors and cell viability, improving both the knowledge of the system as metabolic pathway concepts. The concepts related to biofuel cells, such as applications, mechanisms and limitations were worked in four biochemical undergraduate classes for a Chemistry Course students at the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG).