The project aims to explore ways to generate electricity using tomato waste left over from harvests in Florida.
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology graduate Namita Shrestha said: "We have found that spoiled and damaged tomatoes left over from harvest can be a particularly powerful source of energy when used in a biological or microbial electrochemical cell.
"The process also helps purify the tomato-contaminated solid waste and associated waste water."
The team, which also includes researchers from Florida Gulf Coast University, has developed a microbial electrochemical cell, which has a power output of 0.3 watts.
In particular, the cell uses bacteria to break down and oxidize organic material in the defective tomatoes. The oxidation process results in the releases of electrons which are then captured in the fuel cell and become a source of electricity.
Researchers said that the natural lycopene pigment in tomatoes is a good as mediator to support the generation of electrical charges from the damaged fruits.
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology professor Venkataramana Gadhamshetty said that Florida is estimated to generate 396,000 tons of tomato waste every year.
Gadhamshetty said: "We wanted to find a way to treat this waste that, when dumped in landfills, can produce methane-a powerful greenhouse gas-and when dumped in water bodies, can create major water treatment problems."
The researchers, however, are planning to increase the power output of the cell by determining and replacing its parts, including electrode, electricity-producing bacteria, biological film, wiring, which are resisting the flow of electricity.
Gadhamshetty added: "Our research question at this time is to investigate the fundamental electron transfer mechanisms and the interaction between the solid tomato waste and microbes."
The researchers are planning to present the project at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in the San Diego Convention Center.
Image: Florida is estimated to generate 396,000 tons of tomato waste every year. Photo: courtesy of SawitreeLyaon/iStock/Thinkstock/ American Chemical Society.
