Influence of Surfactants on the Functioning of Micrococcus luteus 1-i Strain in Biofuel Cells

The operation of biofuel cells (BFC) based on the Micrococcus luteus 1-i strain under the action of the main representatives of various groups of surfactants has been analyzed. The following were tested: cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (cationic surfactant), Tween-80 (non-ionic surfactant), sodium lauryl sulfate (anionic surfactant). It was shown that cetyltrimethylammonium bromide reduced the electrical characteristics of BFC at concentrations of 10 mg/L, Tween-80—from 5 mL/L, sodium lauryl sulfate—from 100 mg/L. A comparison of the electrogenic activity of bacteria in BFCs with their viability and the kinetics of the redox potential of the anolyte allowed us to conclude that the decrease in the efficiency of the studied BFCs under the influence of surfactants in the tested concentration ranges is associated with their toxic effect on microbial cells.