Effect of Banana Peel and Rice Waste Substrate Composition on Electrical Performance and Polystyrene Biodegradation in Microbial Fuel Cells

Destia Karunia; Rahmawati; Halwa Muthmainnah; Rita Sulistyowati

doi:10.31851/jupiter.v8i1.22069

Authors

Destia Karunia Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas PGRI Palembang
Rahmawati Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas PGRI Palembang
Halwa Muthmainnah Husnul Khotimah Islamic Senior High School, Kuningan, West Java
Rita Sulistyowati Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas PGRI Palembang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31851/jupiter.v8i1.22069

Keywords:

Microbial Fuel Cells, styrofoam, degradation, organic waste, renewable energy.

Abstract

The availability of environmentally friendly energy and effective plastic waste management are important challenges in developing sustainable technologies. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) in generating electrical energy and degrading polystyrene waste using organic waste substrates consisting of banana peels and rice at different ratios (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1), with and without buffer addition. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory by measuring voltage, current, and the degradation of styrofoam based on changes in mass and volume. Electrical output was measured using a multimeter, while degradation efficiency was determined from the difference in styrofoam mass before and after treatment. The results showed that MFC were capable of producing electrical energy, with voltage and current values varying among treatments. Certain substrate compositions exhibited better performance by enhancing microbial metabolism and electron transfer. Styrofoam mass decreased from 0.3 g to 0.1–0.2 g, corresponding to degradation efficiencies of 33.3–66.7%. Buffer addition also improved system stability. These findings indicate that MFC have potential as an alternative energy source and a biological approach for plastic waste bioremediation.

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