The global consumption of electricity has reached 21.2 terawatt hours in 2015,
according to the International Energy Agency, it is no surprise that there is a need for
ways to generate electricity. One of which is coal and petroleum, which compromises
85% of energy generation (IEA, 2015). Although this method is highly efficient, this
causes environmental problems such as pollution and decrease in those non-renewable
resources. This is the reason why clean and ecologically-friendly ways of generating
electricity like MFC’s are being brought to light.
MFC’s, or Microbial Fuel Cells, are devices that use bacteria as the catalysts to
oxidize organic and inorganic matter and generate current. Electrons produced by the
bacteria from these substrates are transferred to the anode (negative terminal) and flow
to the cathode (positive terminal) linked by a conductive material containing a resistor, or
operated under a load (e.g, producing electricity that runs a device).
(Microbial
Fuel Cells: Methodology and Technology, 2006)
Saba banana (Musa acuminata x balbisiana) peelings are underutilized food
wastes that originate from the Philippines and are manufactured from the agricultural
production sector of the said country. Due to its abundance and accessibility, banana
peelings are generally viewed as ideal substrates for microbial processes involving
bacterial growth and respiration. (Saba banana Peel Wastes, 2015)