Bacteria that exclusively feed on electricity are real

All life is powered by electricity, albeit indirectly, since most organisms consume sugars that produce electrochemical reactions. In this sense, we already know that there are electron-eating bacteria living in very hot or oxygen-free environments.

Recently, however, some researchers have managed for the first time to cultivate a type of organism that only needs electricity to survive.

The News Scientist published a study in which biologists explain that they were able to grow Mariprofundus ferroxydans PV-1 bacteria in a laboratory by simply applying an electrical charge to them through iron electrodes. No other sources of sugar or nutrients were needed (see video below).

Energy currents

In addition, Mariprofundus ferroxydans PV-1 is not the only bacterium that has this feature, as so far eight types of organisms that can eat and excrete electrons have been discovered. They can all form currents about an inch long that use sea oxygen to generate energy. These currents can also conduct electricity, like ordinary copper wires. How these bacteria can manage these electrons is still a mystery to science.

According to The New Scientist, researchers believe that bacteria with such characteristics can be used in some useful applications, including the production of self-powered pollution response devices. They can also test one of the most basic principals of biology: the minimum amount of energy needed for life to exist.

Via TecMundo