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An antibiotic composite electrode for improving the sensitivity of electrochemically active biofilm biosensor

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Abstract

Extensive research has been carried out for improved sensitivity of electroactive biofilm-based sensor (EAB-sensor), which is recognized as a useful tool in water quality early-warning. Antibiotic that is employed widely to treat infection has been proved feasible in this study to regulate the EAB and to increase the EAB-biosensor’s sensitivity. A novel composite electrode was prepared using azithromycin (AZM) and graphite powder (GP), namely AZM@GP electrode, and was employed as the anode in EAB-biosensor. Different dosages of AZM, i.e., 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg, referred to as 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% AZM@GP were under examination. Results showed that EAB-biosensor was greatly benefited from appropriate dosage of AZM (0.5% AZM@GP) with reduced start-up time period, comparatively higher voltage output, more readable electrical signal and increased inhibition rate (30%–65% higher than control sensor with GP electrode) when exposing to toxic formaldehyde. This may be attributed to the fact that AZM inhibited the growth of non-EAM without much influence on the physiologic or metabolism activities of EAM under proper dosage. Further investigation of the biofilm morphology and microbial community analysis suggested that the biofilm formation was optimized with reduced thickness and enriched Geobacter with 0.5% AZM@GP dosage. This novel electrode is easily fabricated and equipped, and therefore would be a promising way to facilitate the practical application of EAB-sensors.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52125001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Shuyi Wang, Xiang Qi, Wen Hao, Jinbin Han & Peng Liang

  2. Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Environmental Health and Regulation, College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China

    Yong Jiang

  3. School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China

    Panpan Liu

Authors
  1. Shuyi Wang
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  2. Xiang Qi
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  3. Yong Jiang
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  4. Panpan Liu
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  5. Wen Hao
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  6. Jinbin Han
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  7. Peng Liang
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yong Jiang or Peng Liang.

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Highlights

• Antibiotic azithromycin employed in graphite electrode for EAB biosensor.

• Azithromycin at 0.5% dosage increased the sensitivity for toxic formaldehyde.

• Azithromycin increased the relative abundance of Geobacter.

• Azithromycin regulated thickness of electroactive biofilm.

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Wang, S., Qi, X., Jiang, Y. et al. An antibiotic composite electrode for improving the sensitivity of electrochemically active biofilm biosensor. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 16, 97 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-022-1518-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-022-1518-7

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