Crystal Violet (CV) Biodegradation Study in a Dual-Chamber Fungal Microbial Fuel Cell with Trichoderma harzianum
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
1 Authors should clarify the contribution of the work.
2 In the first paragraph of the introduction section, the authors point out the dye's use and their harmful effects. In the second paragraph, the authors include the use of fungi in the degradation of dye compounds. Please consider including some ideas for alternative process treatment of dyes.
3 Authors point out the application of MFC in the degradation of dyes. However, the authors do not mention the advantages of using a MEC process as a bioelectrochemical process compared to chemical, electrochemical, catalytic, or photocatalytic processes.
4 References [1-27] are included in the introduction section. Please consider more recent references. For example, [01-10] were published between 1985-2013. References [12, 13] were published between 1911-1931. However, the authors point out the beginning of MFC applications. Although references [14 - 27] were published between 2015-2020, the authors point out several MFC applications and still suggest including more recent references concerning MFC applications in this direction. Please consider reviews or contributions from MDPI journals such as Energies, Processes, and Water.
5. Please consider references style: Number the references (numbers in square brackets)
a) consecutive references:
[23] [24] - > [23,24]
[30] [31] -> [30,31]
[34] [35] -> [34,35]
b) include all references
Deng et al. (Deng et al. 2004). -> Deng et al. [??].
c) include all authors
[06] Forootanfar H, Moezzi A, Aghaie-Khozani M, Mahmoudjanlou Y, Ameri A, Niknejad F, et al.
[15] Kebaili H, Kameche M, Innocent C, Ziane FZ, Sabeur SA, Sahraoui T, et al.
[22] Xia T, Zhang X, Wang H, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Bian C, et al.
[25] Pontié M, Jaspard E, Friant C, Kilani J, Fix-Tailler A, Innocent C, et al.
[26] Simões MF, Maiorano AE, dos Santos JG, Peixoto L, de Souza RFB, Neto AO, et al.
[32] Ding J, Mei J, Huang P, Tian Y, Liang Y, Jiang X, et al.
[38] Roy DC, Biswas SK, Saha AK, Sikdar B, Rahman M, Roy AK, et al.
[45] Venice F, Davolos D, Spina F, Poli A, Prigione VP, Varese GC, et al.
[46] He X-L, Song C, Li Y yuan, Wang N, Xu L, Han X, et al.
6 Please consider homogenize the name of the crystal violet in the Keywords (line 23) and Introduction section (line 27).
7 Please, consider homogenize figure’s time range.
a) Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c, t(h) -> [0,120] (h)
b) Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b, t(h) -> [0,80] (h)
c) Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b, and Fig. 5a, t(h) -> [0,200] (h)
8 Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are vectorized. Please consider vectorized figures 8 and 9.
9 Please consider relocation of the subfigure caption (Fig. #a, Fig. #b, Fig. #c) place in the inner part of the subfigure box, perhaps in the upper left area.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Please consider English Editing Service or Proofread Your Paper. As example, in the abstract section, consider the following suggestions:
[In the present study and for the first time VC dye] -> [In the present study VC dye]
[To do so, two types of carbon clothes KIP and CSV from Decarb company (France) were tested as electrodes and supports for fungi growth.] -> [Two types of carbon clothes, KIP and CSV, from Decarb company (France), were tested as electrodes and supported for fungi growth.]
[that 52 % and 55 % of the VC was removed] -> [that 52 % and 55 % of the VC were removed]
[uncomplete] -> [incomplete]
[efficient with higher maximum] -> [efficient with a higher maximum]
[lower potential and lower power density values, which proves the electrocatalytic effect of this fungus] -> [lower potential and power density values, proving this fungus's electrocatalytic effect]
[MFC system, capable of direct energy generation and in the same time promoting the bioremediation] -> [MFC system capable of direct energy generation and, at the same time, promoting the bioremediation]
Author Response
Reviewer 1 / R=responses
(x) Extensive editing of English language required
R=
A native english colleague has reviewed the entire paper.
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Does the introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references? |
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Are all the cited references relevant to the research? |
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Is the research design appropriate? |
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Are the methods adequately described? |
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Are the results clearly presented? |
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Are the conclusions supported by the results? |
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Comments and Suggestions for Authors
1 Authors should clarify the contribution of the work.
R= We added a paragraph where explaining what our work brings to research on MFC, emphasizing the originality of our work.
2 In the first paragraph of the introduction section, the authors point out the dye's use and their harmful effects. In the second paragraph, the authors include the use of fungi in the degradation of dye compounds. Please consider including some ideas for alternative process treatment of dyes.
R=We added a paragraph where talking about other methods used for the treatment of wastewater containing dyes, with recent publications from the journal Energies or Water (from the same publisher).
3 Authors point out the application of MFC in the degradation of dyes. However, the authors do not mention the advantages of using a MEC process as a bioelectrochemical process compared to chemical, electrochemical, catalytic, or photocatalytic processes.
R=We talked about the advantages of MFC compared to other methods, including the possibility of producing an electrical current that can then be used. I preferred not to talk about additional applications (electrolyzers, biosensors) to avoid going off-topic.
4 References [1-27] are included in the introduction section. Please consider more recent references. For example, [01-10] were published between 1985-2013. References [12, 13] were published between 1911-1931. However, the authors point out the beginning of MFC applications. Although references [14 - 27] were published between 2015-2020, the authors point out several MFC applications and still suggest including more recent references concerning MFC applications in this direction. Please consider reviews or contributions from MDPI journals such as Energies, Processes, and Water.
R= In the paragraphs that I added, I included recent publications from Energies and Water
- Please consider references style: Number the references (numbers in square brackets)
- a) consecutive references:
[23] [24] - > [23,24]
[30] [31] -> [30,31]
[34] [35] -> [34,35]
- b) include all references
Deng et al. (Deng et al. 2004). -> Deng et al. [??].
- c) include all authors
[06] Forootanfar H, Moezzi A, Aghaie-Khozani M, Mahmoudjanlou Y, Ameri A, Niknejad F, et al.
[15] Kebaili H, Kameche M, Innocent C, Ziane FZ, Sabeur SA, Sahraoui T, et al.
[22] Xia T, Zhang X, Wang H, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Bian C, et al.
[25] Pontié M, Jaspard E, Friant C, Kilani J, Fix-Tailler A, Innocent C, et al.
[26] Simões MF, Maiorano AE, dos Santos JG, Peixoto L, de Souza RFB, Neto AO, et al.
[32] Ding J, Mei J, Huang P, Tian Y, Liang Y, Jiang X, et al.
[38] Roy DC, Biswas SK, Saha AK, Sikdar B, Rahman M, Roy AK, et al.
[45] Venice F, Davolos D, Spina F, Poli A, Prigione VP, Varese GC, et al.
[46] He X-L, Song C, Li Y yuan, Wang N, Xu L, Han X, et al.
R= Done
6 Please consider homogenize the name of the crystal violet in the Keywords (line 23) and Introduction section (line 27).
R= Done
7 Please, consider homogenize figure’s time range.
- a) Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c, t(h) -> [0,120] (h)
- b) Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b, t(h) -> [0,80] (h)
- c) Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b, and Fig. 5a, t(h) -> [0,200] (h)
R= Done
8 Fig. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are vectorized. Please consider vectorized figures 8 and 9.
R= Done
9 Please consider relocation of the subfigure caption (Fig. #a, Fig. #b, Fig. #c) place in the inner part of the subfigure box, perhaps in the upper left area.
R= Done
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Please consider English Editing Service or Proofread Your Paper. As example, in the abstract section, consider the following suggestions:
[In the present study and for the first time VC dye] -> [In the present study VC dye]
[To do so, two types of carbon clothes KIP and CSV from Decarb company (France) were tested as electrodes and supports for fungi growth.] -> [Two types of carbon clothes, KIP and CSV, from Decarb company (France), were tested as electrodes and supported for fungi growth.]
[that 52 % and 55 % of the VC was removed] -> [that 52 % and 55 % of the VC were removed]
[uncomplete] -> [incomplete]
[efficient with higher maximum] -> [efficient with a higher maximum]
[lower potential and lower power density values, which proves the electrocatalytic effect of this fungus] -> [lower potential and power density values, proving this fungus's electrocatalytic effect]
[MFC system, capable of direct energy generation and in the same time promoting the bioremediation] -> [MFC system capable of direct energy generation and, at the same time, promoting the bioremediation]
R= Thank you so much for, the suggestions that we have integrated in the corrected version of our paper.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Presented study showing BFC based approach of crystal violet (VC) degradation in the microbial fuel cell. The removal of hazardous dyes like VC from waste water is very actual problem today. Thus, presented paper is focused on the real issue and results can be used in future in practical application. The main question concerning this paper: how this method of VC removal is compared with other approaches for example like active photooxidation? I suppose this should be discussed in details in the section 4. Also there are several additional comments that necessary to discuss before paper can be published:
1. What is KIP and CSV carbon clothes exactly? Please give more information concerning this materials in the 2.2 section, including electrical conductivity.
2. Section 2.4. Please add information concerning equipment that was used for the electrochemical measurements;
3. Experimental section – please add information concerning methods of statistical analysis that was used in this study.
4. Section 3.1. If VC unstable in the light why all experiments was provided in the light? It was possible to provide it in the dark condition and exclude influence of light on the results.
5. Fig 1b; fig 1c; fig 1d, fig 2; fig 3 and fig 7. Please add error bars.
6. The research results of biofuel cell study should contain at least cyclic volt-ampere characteristics to analyze processes on the electrodes. It can be addid in supplementary materials.
7. Section 3.5 should be replaced in the introduction section
8. Please rename section 4 from “Conclusion” to the “Discussion and conclusion”
Author Response
Open Review
(x) I would like to sign my review report
(x) English language fine. No issues detected
|
Yes |
Can be improved |
Must be improved |
Not applicable |
|
|
Does the introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references? |
( ) |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are all the cited references relevant to the research? |
( ) |
( ) |
(x) |
( ) |
|
Is the research design appropriate? |
( ) |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are the methods adequately described? |
( ) |
( ) |
(x) |
( ) |
|
Are the results clearly presented? |
( ) |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are the conclusions supported by the results? |
( ) |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Presented study showing BFC based approach of crystal violet (VC) degradation in the microbial fuel cell. The removal of hazardous dyes like VC from waste water is very actual problem today. Thus, presented paper is focused on the real issue and results can be used in future in practical application. The main question concerning this paper: how this method of VC removal is compared with other approaches for example like active photooxidation? I suppose this should be discussed in details in the section 4. Also there are several additional comments that necessary to discuss before paper can be published:
1 What is KIP and CSV carbon clothes exactly? Please give more information concerning these materials in the 2.2 section, including electrical conductivity.
R=We added information on KIP and CSV (manufacturing method for example). Unfortunate no carbon cloth conductivities have been found in the lietterature and not done by Dacarb company
2 Section 2.4. Please add information concerning equipment that was used for the electrochemical measurements;
R= Done
3 Experimental section – please add information concerning methods of statistical analysis that was used in this study.
R= I gave details on how we studied the kinetics with pseudo-first order and added formula (3)
- Section 3.1. If VC unstable in the light why all experiments was provided in the light? It was possible to provide it in the dark condition and exclude influence of light on the results.
R=We have specified previously that the CV was very stable exposed to the light.
- Fig 1b; fig 1c; fig 1d, fig 2; fig 3 and fig 7. Please add error bars.
R= Done
- The research results of biofuel cell study should contain at least cyclic volt-ampere characteristics to analyze processes on the electrodes. It can be addid in supplementary materials.
R=Thank you so much for the judicious remark. Unfortunatly no CV was done. In further work we will do that for sure.
- Section 3.5 should be replaced in the introduction section
R=We have modified the title of the section as suggested. The new title is :
“Hypothesis for the mechanism of CV degradation by T. harzianum”
- Please rename section 4 from “Conclusion” to the “Discussion and conclusion”
R= Done
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Reviewer report on Manuscript Draft ‘Crystal Violet Biodegradation Study in a Dual-Chamber Fungal Microbial Fuel Cell with Trichoderma harzianum’
In this research authors tested Crystal Violet dye in Microbial Fuel Cell based on Trichoderma harzianum. The uncomplete removal of Crystal Violet was explained by the relative toxicity of Crystal Violet for T. harzianum, and correlated with the IC50. These results provide new insight into the development of an effective Microbial Fuel Cell system, capable of direct energy generation and in the same time promoting the bioremediation of the persistent pollutant Crystal Violet.
Microbial biofuel cells are very promising for alternative energetics, bioanalytical and some other applications. This investigation is very interesting, from the point of view of electrochemistry and material chemistry. The research is well conducted and well addressed in manuscript, it is in the scope of the journal. Therefore, the manuscript can be published after some minor corrections and improvements:
All abbreviations (e.g.: VC, KIP, CSV, etc) should be clearly introduced before first use in the text.
Introduction is very brief and not very informative. Therefore, some recent reviews in the area of development of biofuel cells (Charge transfer and biocompatibility aspects in conducting polymers based enzymatic biosensors and biofuel cells. Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 371. // Progress and Insights in the Application of MXenes as New 2D Nano-Materials Suitable for Biosensors and Biofuel Cell Design. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2020, 21, 9224.) could be overviewed and discussed.
Kinetics of consumption of VC vs. t in all particular curves (in Figs. 1c, 2a, 2b) could be approximated using corresponding exponential decay or other suitable functions and characteristics calculated using these functions compared.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Minor editing of English language required.
Author Response
Open Review
(x) I would not like to sign my review report
(x) Minor editing of English language required
R= A native english colleague has reviewed the entire paper.
|
Yes |
Can be improved |
Must be improved |
Not applicable |
|
|
Does the introduction provide sufficient background and include all relevant references? |
( ) |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are all the cited references relevant to the research? |
( ) |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Is the research design appropriate? |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are the methods adequately described? |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are the results clearly presented? |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
|
Are the conclusions supported by the results? |
(x) |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Reviewer report on Manuscript Draft ‘Crystal Violet Biodegradation Study in a Dual-Chamber Fungal Microbial Fuel Cell with Trichoderma harzianum’
In this research authors tested Crystal Violet dye in Microbial Fuel Cell based on Trichoderma harzianum. The uncomplete removal of Crystal Violet was explained by the relative toxicity of Crystal Violet for T. harzianum, and correlated with the IC50. These results provide new insight into the development of an effective Microbial Fuel Cell system, capable of direct energy generation and in the same time promoting the bioremediation of the persistent pollutant Crystal Violet.
Microbial biofuel cells are very promising for alternative energetics, bioanalytical and some other applications. This investigation is very interesting, from the point of view of electrochemistry and material chemistry. The research is well conducted and well addressed in manuscript, it is in the scope of the journal. Therefore, the manuscript can be published after some minor corrections and improvements:
All abbreviations (e.g.: VC, KIP, CSV, etc) should be clearly introduced before first use in the text.
R= Done
Introduction is very brief and not very informative. Therefore, some recent reviews in the area of development of biofuel cells (Charge transfer and biocompatibility aspects in conducting polymers based enzymatic biosensors and biofuel cells. Nanomaterials 2021, 11, 371. // Progress and Insights in the Application of MXenes as New 2D Nano-Materials Suitable for Biosensors and Biofuel Cell Design. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2020, 21, 9224.) could be overviewed and discussed.
R=I have added information on other methods of depollution and on the advantage of MFCs compared to these other methods with recent articles from Energies and Water journals.
Kinetics of consumption of VC vs. t in all particular curves (in Figs. 1c, 2a, 2b) could be approximated using corresponding exponential decay or other suitable functions and characteristics calculated using these functions compared.
R= Kinetics of pseudo-order 1 has been demonstrated and parameters reported (see page 13 last paragraph please).
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Minor editing of English language required.
R= A native english colleague has reviewed the entire paper.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Consider eliminating the label Line 315 [Fig. 1a], line 317 [Fig. 1b], line 511 [Fig. 5a], and line 555 [Fig. 6a].
Consider the lower location for numbers in the horizontal axe in Figure 1 and Figure 3.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Now paper can be accepted for publication.
