Carbonaceous and Protein Constituents in Dairy Wastewater Lead to a Differentiated Current Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs)

The effect of real dairy wastewater (DWW) additions on the current density generated by a bioanode was evaluated in a half cell configuration under potentiostatic control, thus simulating the anodic chamber of a Microbial Fuel Cell. Low substrate additions increased current density up to 1655 ± 136 mA m−2, forming a two-current peak pattern. Then the system was tested with a casein-lactose synthetic media. A high protein concentration reduced the current density; individual compounds led to the highest current (330.5 mA m−2 with casein; 1276 mA m−2 with lactose). Moreover, the protein reduced the current start up time.