CBSE Investigatory Project
Subject: Biology / Environmental Science
Title: Microbial Fuel Cell using Yeast as a Single Organism
Submitted by: [Student Name]
Class: XII
Roll No.:
School Name:
Session: 20XX – 20XX
Signature of
Teacher Signature
of Principal
(School Stamp)
Certificate
This is to certify that [Student Name], Class XII, Roll No. of [School Name], has successfully completed
the investigatory project titled “Microbial Fuel Cell using Yeast as a Single Organism” under my
supervision during the academic session 20XX–20XX.
The project is original and has been carried out as part of the CBSE curriculum.
Signature of Teacher
Signature of Principal
(School Stamp)
Acknowledgement
I sincerely thank my Biology teacher, [Teacher’s Name], for guidance and encouragement in
completing this project. I also thank my school principal for providing necessary facilities, and my
classmates and family for their cooperation.
Introduction
Energy production today depends largely on fossil fuels, which are non-renewable and polluting. A
Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical system that uses microorganisms to convert chemical
energy stored in organic compounds into electrical energy.
In this project, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast) is used as the sole biocatalyst. Yeast ferments
glucose to ethanol and CO■, releasing electrons and protons. The electrons are transferred to the
anode and flow through an external circuit to the cathode, generating electricity.
Principle / Theory
Yeast metabolizes glucose anaerobically producing ethanol, CO■, protons, and electrons. Electrons are
captured at the anode and flow to the cathode through an external circuit. Oxygen at the cathode
combines with protons and electrons to form water, generating electricity.
Simplified reaction:
C■H■■O■ 2C■H■OH + 2CO■ + electrons + protons
Materials Required
•Fresh baker’s yeast – 10 g
•Glucose solution (10%) – 100 mL
•Distilled water – 200 mL
•2 beakers (250 mL)
•Copper electrode (cathode)
•Graphite rod (anode)
•Salt bridge (agar + NaCl)
•Connecting wires & clips
•Multimeter
•Insulating tape
Experimental Procedure
Prepare a salt bridge using agar + NaCl solution in a U-tube.
In the anodic chamber: add glucose solution + yeast + graphite electrode. Seal
with cotton. In the cathodic chamber: fill with distilled water + copper electrode,
keep open to air.
Connect both chambers using salt bridge.
Connect electrodes to a multimeter. Record voltage and current every 30 min for 3 hrs.
Observations
Time (min) Voltage (mV) Current (µA) Remarks
0 0 0 Setup connected
30 120 25 Fermentation begins
60 180 32 Stable bubble
formation
90 200 35 Peak observed
120 195 34 Slight decrease
150 170 30 Nutrients depleting
180 140 25 Reduced output
Results
The yeast-based microbial fuel cell produced a maximum voltage of 200 mV and current of 35 µA after
~90 minutes. Electricity was successfully generated using baker’s yeast.
Discussion & Conclusion
The experiment proved that yeast can act as a biocatalyst in microbial fuel cells. Voltage increased
initially due to active fermentation and then declined as glucose was consumed. The salt bridge
maintained charge balance. Though the output was small, it demonstrates potential for eco-friendly
electricity generation.
Conclusion: A renewable and sustainable microbial fuel cell was designed using yeast, capable of
generating measurable electricity.
Applications
•Power generation from organic waste
•Sustainable energy in rural areas
•Wastewater treatment with electricity recovery
•Biosensors for microbial activity detection
Bibliography
•Logan, B.E. (2008). Microbial Fuel Cells. Wiley.
•Rabaey, K. & Verstraete, W. (2005). Trends in Biotechnology.
•CBSE Biology Lab Manual – Class XII.
•NCBI, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate (online resources).
