Abstract—The critical need for renewable energy solutions
and effective agricultural waste management presents
significant global challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the
potential of asparagus waste as a substrate for energy
generation in microbial fuel cell. Rich in organic compounds
such as carbohydrates, proteins, and bioactive substances,
asparagus waste demonstrated remarkable potential as a
bioelectricity substrate source. Key findings included a peak
power density of 235.213±24.118 mW/cm², a current density of
4.685 A/cm², and an internal resistance of 56.874±4.517 Ω,
observed on the thirteenth day of monitoring. Optimal
parameters, including a pH of 4.777±0.146 and electrical
conductivity of 139.841±4.254 mS/cm, further highlighted its
efficiency. Furthermore, connecting three MFCs in series
generated a combined voltage of 2.86 V, sufficient to light an
LED bulb, demonstrating the technology’s scalability. This
research offers groundbreaking insights into the use of
asparagus waste, setting it apart from other agricultural byproducts
due to its unique composition and superior energy
conversion efficiency. This novel approach not only facilitates
waste valorization but also lays the groundwork for sustainable
energy systems, especially in asparagus-producing regions such
as Peru. By establishing a framework for standardizing MFC
parameters, this study contributes to the advancement of
scalable renewable energy systems while promoting
environmental conservation and delivering economic benefits to
agricultural communities. Future investigations could focus on
improving system efficiency and expanding its applicability
across different contexts.
Keywords—asparagus waste, electricity, microbial fuel cell,
energy sustainability
Cite: Rojas Flores Segundo J., Nélida Milly Otiniano, Cabanillas-Chirinos Luis, De La Cruz-Noriega Magaly, "Preliminary Evaluation of Asparagus Waste as a Substrate in Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) for Bioelectricity Generation," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 64-70, 2026.
Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).