• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.399-407
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• 2006

In this study, an electrical conductive carbon fiber was used as a biofilter matrix to electrochemically improve the biofilter function. A bioreactor system was composed of carbon fiber (anode), titanium ring, porcelain ring, inorganic nutrient reservoir, and VOC reservoir. Electric DC power of 1.5 volt was charged to the carbon fiber anode (CFA) to induce the electrochemical oxidation potential on the biofilter matrix, but not to the carbon fiber (CF). We tested the effects of electrochemical oxidation potential charged to the CFA on the biofilm structure, the bacterial growth, and the activity for metabolic oxidation of VOCs to $CO_2$, According to the SEM image, the biofilm structure developed in the CFA appeared to be greatly different from that in the CF. The bacterial growth, VOCs degradation, and metabolic oxidation of VOCs to $CO_2$ in the CFA were more activated than those in the CF. On the basis of these results, we propose that the biofilm structure can be improved, and the bacterial growth and the bacterial oxidation activity of VOCs can be activated by the electrochemical oxidation potential charged to a biofilter matrix.