Electroautotroph

An electroautotroph is a microorganism that can use electricity as its sole source of energy. These organisms are autotrophs, meaning they can produce their own food from inorganic sources, typically carbon dioxide. Instead of relying on sunlight for photosynthesis or chemical reactions for chemosynthesis, electroautotrophs harness electrons directly from an external electrical source, such as an electrode. This process is often referred to as electrotrophy.

The energy obtained from electricity is then used to drive metabolic processes, including the reduction of carbon dioxide into organic compounds. This makes electroautotrophs capable of fixing carbon and growing without organic carbon or light. Research into electroautotrophs is an area of growing interest in biotechnology and astrobiology. Their ability to utilize electricity could have implications for sustainable energy production, bioremediation, and the search for life in environments where light and organic matter are scarce.

Certain species of bacteria and archaea have been identified as electroautotrophs. These microorganisms typically possess specialized cellular machinery, such as external conductive appendages or redox-active molecules, that facilitate the transfer of electrons from the electrode to their intracellular metabolic pathways. Understanding the mechanisms by which electroautotrophs acquire and utilize electrical energy is crucial for harnessing their potential in various applications.