7th IMRMPT

First slide

First slide

Abstract

Abstract information

English title:	Electricity generation and plastic waste reduction using the fungus Paecilomyces as a biodegrader in microbial fuel cells
Spanish title:	Generacion de electricidad y reduccion de desechos de plastico usando al hongo Paecilomyces como biodegradador en celdas de combustible microbiana
English abstract:	Plastic waste has become one of the most severe and uncontrollable problems in recent decades due to the many years it takes to degrade. One of the most alarming cases is in India, where 690 tons of plastic waste are reported in just one day, and only approximately 40% is recycled. Likewise, the production and burning of plastic contribute to global warming since both processes release CO2 emissions. Also, the high costs of installing electric power and its absence in remote places have become critical points for governments. It has also been reported that in 2026, energy consumption will increase by 9%. This research proposes a novel method for generating electric power from rice straw waste and simultaneously reducing plastic waste. The key to this method is the use of the Paecilomyces fungus, which is capable of breaking down the complex polymers in plastic into simpler compounds, thereby releasing electrons that can be harnessed to generate electricity through microbial fuel cells. The laboratory of the Cesar Vallejo University Research Institute donated the Paecilomyces fungi. Single-chamber microbial fuel cells (SC-MFCs) had a capacity of 100 ml substrate volume and were constructed from silica (Si O2) by Xin Tester (Shanghai, China). A zinc electrode was used as the cathode and a carbon electrode as the anode, with 24.7 and 22.6 cm2 areas, respectively. An external circuit is connected to a 100 Ω Rext. (external resistor) was used for electron transfer from the anode to the cathode. The MFCs generated peaks of electric current (3.547 � 0.185 mA) and voltage (0.575 � 0.106 V) on day twenty-six, showing a pH of 6.524 � 0.367. The peak electrical conductivity of the substrate was 264.847 � 6.395 mS/cm, and the MFCs were able to reduce the chemical oxygen demand by 85.47 %, showing a maximum power density of 62.025 � 5.329 mW/cm2 and an internal resistance of 55.254 � 7.583 Ω. The infrared spectra performed on the plastic samples showed a decrease in the peaks 2850-2920, 1470, and 720 cm-1, most characteristic of plastic, demonstrating the action of the fungus Paecilomyces on the plastic samples. The intensity variations in the characteristic peaks of the plastics in the initial and final states are possibly due to the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus, which also plays a crucial role in the process. Pleurotus ostreatus, known for its high levels of laccase production, is capable of further breaking down the simpler compounds released by Paecilomyces, thereby accelerating the biodegradation process. Likewise, micrographs made by SEM showed the reduction of the thickness of the plastic film by 114 �m and the formation of microstructures on the surface, such as pores and raised layers of the used sample. This research holds immense promise as it is sustainable and gives added value to plastic waste for generating electric energy. It fulfills a fundamental role by microorganisms through the biodegradation of plastic, generating redox reactions necessary to generate electricity through devices such as microbial combustion cells. By harnessing the power of these microorganisms, a circular economy could be generated, reducing the accumulation of plastic in ecosystems, pollution, and the effects of climate change. This offers a solution to the pressing issue of plastic waste and paves the way for a more sustainable and hopeful future.
Spanish abstract:	Los desechos de pl�stico en las �ltimas d�cadas se han vuelto uno de los problemas m�s graves e incontrolables del planeta, por la gran cantidad de a�os que demorar en degradarse. Uno de los casos m�s alarmantes se presenta en la India donde solo en un dia se reportan 690 toneladas de desechos de pl�stico y solo se recicla un aproximado del 40 %. Asimismo, la producci�n y la quema de pl�stico contribuyen al calentamiento global ya que en ambos procesos liberan emisiones de CO2. As� tambi�n, los altos costos que generar la instalaci�n de energ�a el�ctrica, as� como su ausencia en lugares de alejados se han convertido en un punto cr�tico para los gobiernos, adem�s se ha reportado que para el a�o 2026 el consumo energ�tico aumentara en un 9%. Esta investigaci�n propone un m�todo novedoso para la generaci�n de energ�a el�ctrica a partir de desechos de pajilla de arroz y reducir desechos de pl�stico en forma simult�nea usando al hongo Paecilomyces a trav�s de celdas de combustible microbiano. Los hongos Paecilomyces fueron donados por el laboratorio del instituto de investigaci�n de la Universidad Cesar Vallejo. Las celdas de combustible microbiana de una sola c�mara (MFCs-SC) tuvieron una capacidad de 100 ml de volumen de sustrato y fueron construidas a base de s�lice (Si O2) por la empresa Xin Tester (Shangai, China). Se utilizo un electrodo de zinc como c�todo y de carb�n como �nodo cuyas �reas fueron de 24.7 y 22.6 cm2 de �rea, respectivamente. Para la transferencia de electrones del �nodo al c�todo se utiliz� un circuito externo conectada a una Rext. (resistencia externa) de 100 Ω. Las MFCs generaron picos de corriente el�ctrica (3.547 � 0.185 mA) y voltaje (0.575 � 0.106 V ) en el d�a veintis�is mostrando un pH de 6.524 � 0.367. La conductividad el�ctrica pico mostrada del sustrato fue de 264.847 � 6.395 mS/cm, y las MFCs lograron reducir la demanda qu�mica de ox�geno en un 85.47 % mostrando una densidad de potencia m�xima de 62.025 � 5.329 mW/cm2 y una resistencia interna de 55.254 � 7.583 Ω. Los espectros de infrarrojo realizados a las muestras de pl�stico mostraron una disminuci�n de los picos 2850-2920, 1470 y 720 cm-1 m�s caracter�sticos del pl�stico, demostrando la acci�n del hongo Paecilomyces sobre las muestras de pl�stico. Las variaciones de intensidad en los picos caracter�sticos de los pl�sticos en los estados inicial y final se deben posiblemente a la actividad del hongo Pleurotus ostreatus que genera cambios moleculares debido a su actividad. Es conocido que el Pleurotus ostreatus produce la enzima lacasa en altos niveles. As� tambi�n, las micrograf�as realizadas por SEM demostraron la reducci�n del grosor de la pel�cula de pl�stico en un 114 �m y la formaci�n de las microestructuras en la superficie como poros y capas levantas de la muestra usada. La presente investigaci�n tiene la caracter�stica innovadora debido a que sostenible y da un valor agregado a los residuos de pl�stico para la generaci�n de energ�a el�ctrica cumpliendo un rol fundamental por parte de los microorganismos mediante la biodegradaci�n del pl�stico generando reacciones redox necesarios para generar electricidad mediante unos dispositivos como celdas de combusti�n microbiana. Cabe resaltar que se generar�a una econom�a circular, disminuyendo la acumulaci�n del pl�stico en los ecosistemas, la contaminaci�n, los efectos del cambio clim�tico y generando electricidad simult�neamente.
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Authors

Name	Institution	Email
Magaly De La Cruz Noriega	Universidad Cesar Vallejo	mdelacruzn@ucv.edu.pe
Luis Cabanillas Chirinos	Universidad Cesar Vallejo	lcabanillas@ucv.edu.pe
Nancy Soto Deza	Universidad Cesar Vallejo	nsoto@ucv.edu.pe
Nicole Terrones Rodriguez	Universidad Cesar Vallejo	nterronesr@ucv.edu.pe
Segundo Rojas Flores	Universidad C�sar Vallejo	segundo.rojas.89@gmail.com

Presentation

Room:	Principal Room
Date:	August 8, 2024
Hour:	09:00 - 09:20

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VI WMSSE

VI Workshop on Modeling and Simulation for Science and Engineering

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