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Growth of non-phototrophic microorganisms using solar energy through mineral photocatalysis

Author

Listed:
  • Anhuai Lu

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University
    School of Geosciences and Info-physics, Central South University)

  • Yan Li

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University)

  • Song Jin

    (School of Resources and Environment, Hefei University of Technology
    University of Wyoming)

  • Xin Wang

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University)

  • Xiao-Lei Wu

    (College of Engineering, Peking University)

  • Cuiping Zeng

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University)

  • Yan Li

    (College of Engineering, Peking University)

  • Hongrui Ding

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University)

  • Ruixia Hao

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University)

  • Ming Lv

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University)

  • Changqiu Wang

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University)

  • Yueqin Tang

    (College of Engineering, Peking University)

  • Hailiang Dong

    (State key Laboratory of Geobiology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences
    Miami University)

Abstract

Phototrophy and chemotrophy are two dominant modes of microbial metabolism. To date, non-phototrophic microorganisms have been excluded from the solar light-centered phototrophic metabolism. Here we report a pathway that demonstrates a role of light in non-phototrophic microbial activity. In lab simulations, visible light-excited photoelectrons from metal oxide, metal sulfide, and iron oxide stimulated the growth of chemoautotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria. The measured bacterial growth was dependent on light wavelength and intensity, and the growth pattern matched the light absorption spectra of the minerals. The photon-to-biomass conversion efficiency was in the range of 0.13–1.90‰. Similar observations were obtained in a natural soil sample containing both bacteria and semiconducting minerals. Results from this study provide evidence for a newly identified, but possibly long-existing pathway, in which the metabolisms and growth of non-phototrophic bacteria can be stimulated by solar light through photocatalysis of semiconducting minerals.

Suggested Citation

  • Anhuai Lu & Yan Li & Song Jin & Xin Wang & Xiao-Lei Wu & Cuiping Zeng & Yan Li & Hongrui Ding & Ruixia Hao & Ming Lv & Changqiu Wang & Yueqin Tang & Hailiang Dong, 2012. "Growth of non-phototrophic microorganisms using solar energy through mineral photocatalysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-8, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1768
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1768
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    Cited by:

    1. Guoping Ren & Jie Ye & Qichang Hu & Dong Zhang & Yong Yuan & Shungui Zhou, 2024. "Growth of electroautotrophic microorganisms using hydrovoltaic energy through natural water evaporation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Tong Liu & Hongrui Ding & Anhuai Lu & Lingzi Meng & Xiao Ge & Ying Liu & Fangchao Zhu & Shuo Yu & Qunjian Yin & Yan Li & Changqiu Wang & Juan Liu & Song Jin, 2026. "Cycling of Fe(II)/Fe(III) in the euphotic zone mediated by mineral photocatalysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 17(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Zhang, Ying & Liu, Mengmeng & Zhou, Minghua & Yang, Huijia & Liang, Liang & Gu, Tingyue, 2019. "Microbial fuel cell hybrid systems for wastewater treatment and bioenergy production: Synergistic effects, mechanisms and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 13-29.
    4. Hindatu, Y. & Annuar, M.S.M. & Gumel, A.M., 2017. "Mini-review: Anode modification for improved performance of microbial fuel cell," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 236-248.
    5. Dong, Guowen & Chen, Yibin & Yan, Zhiying & Zhang, Jing & Ji, Xiaoliang & Wang, Honghui & Dahlgren, Randy A. & Chen, Fang & Shang, Xu & Chen, Zheng, 2020. "Recent advances in the roles of minerals for enhanced microbial extracellular electron transfer," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    6. Zehong Zhang & Chengpeng Yuan & Wenfeng Huang & Wenyan Wu & Zhemin Shen & Hailiang Dong & Xinde Cao & Xiaoyun Xu, 2026. "Silicate-bound iron drives abiotic solar energy conversion in terrestrial environments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 17(1), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Xinnan Li & Wangshu Tong & Shuchen Tu & Tianyang Hao & Xuxu Zhang & Tingting Cao & Yong Li & Qi An & Yizhi Sheng, 2026. "Hydrophobicity strategy drives contact-electro-catalysis on natural silicate minerals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 17(1), pages 1-12, December.
    8. Yue Lai & Jiaojiao Wang & Guoping Ren & Yong Yuan & Shungui Zhou, 2026. "Microbial autotrophy driven by extracellular electrons generated from mechanical forces via flexoelectricity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 17(1), pages 1-13, December.

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