Electrochemical detection of microbial stress
The present invention is directed to a method of detecting microbial stress. The method comprises the following: providing an electrochemical device having at least one reference electrode and one working electrode wherein the electrochemical device also contains a fermenting microbe, setting an electrochemical potential, providing a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the at least one working electrode, detecting a transfer of electrons from the working electrode to the fermenting microbe, wherein the detection is an indication of microbial stress, and providing a remedial action in response to the indication of microbial stress.
1. A method of detecting microbial stress, the method comprising
providing an electrochemical device having at least one reference electrode and at least one working electrode wherein the electrochemical device also contains a fermenting microbe,
setting an electrochemical potential,
providing a first source of organic carbon to the fermenting microbe,
providing a source of electrical energy electrically connected to the at least one working electrode,
detecting a microbial stress by the transfer of electrons from the at least one working electrode to the fermenting microbe wherein the microbial stress is a result of electron starvation due to a lack of the first source of organic carbon and wherein the transfer of electrons is indicated by the presence of only a reduction peak in a cyclic voltammogram, and
providing a remedial action in response to the microbial stress and detecting a decrease in the transfer of electrons from the at least one working electrode wherein the remedial action includes providing a second source of organic carbon.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fermenting microbe is of a domain Bacteria.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fermenting microbe comprises gram positive bacteria.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fermenting microbe comprises gram negative bacteria.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fermenting microbe comprises Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, or Proteobacteria.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrons are directly transferred from the at least one working electrode to the microbe.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the organic carbon comprises agricultural waste or food waste.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the organic carbon comprises agricultural waste or food waste.
9. (Withdrawn, Currently Amended) The method of claim 1 , wherein the microbial stress is further due to a build-up of oxygen.
10. (Withdrawn, Currently Amended) The method of claim 1 , wherein the microbial stress is further due to a build-up of hydrogen.
11. (Withdrawn, Currently Amended) The method of claim 1 , wherein the remedial action further comprises a step of purging the electrochemical cell with nitrogen gas.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remedial action further comprises a step of changing a temperature.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the decrease in the transfer of electrons is an indication of a reduction in microbial stress.