PT Journal AU Salvin, P Roos, C Robert, F TI Tropical mangrove sediments as a natural inoculum for efficient electroactive biofilms SO Bioresource Technology JI Bioresour. Technol. PY 2012 BP 45 EP 51 VL 120 DE Chronoamperometry; Cyclic voltammetry; Electroactive biofilms; Microbial fuel cells; Three-electrode systems AB Chronoamperometry is known to be an efficient way to form electroactive biofilms (EAB) on conductive electrodes. For the first time, tropical mangrove sediments are analyzed as a potential inoculum to form MFC anodes with the use of acetate as substrate. The performance of the EAB-coated carbon cloth electrodes are evaluated according to the maximal current density, the coulombic efficiency and the cyclic voltammogramms. Working electrodes (WE) polarized at -0.2V/SCE gave better results compared to -0.4V/SCE and 0.0V/SCE. The maximal current density attained was 12A/m 2 with a CE of 24%. Contributions of the EAB in the generation of current were discussed and mechanisms of electronic transfer by the bacteria were discussed. Epifluorescence and SEM images showed the evolution of the biofilms on the electrode surface and the heterogeneity of the structure. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. ER