Enhancing Anti-fatigue Properties and Bioenergy Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells Using Dioscorea opposita Water Extract

Abstract

Starchy root crops such as Dioscorea opposita, used traditionally in Traditional Chinese Medicine for various therapeutic purposes, contain bioactive metabolites including flavonoids, polyphenols, and polysaccharides. This study investigated the previously unexplored anti-fatigue effects and bioenergy-generating potential of D. opposita aqueous extracts. Comprehensive analyses involved phytochemical quantification, antioxidant activity assays (DPPH and FRAP), mouse-model forced-swimming tests, cyclic voltammetry, and microbial fuel cell power density evaluations. Polysaccharides emerged as the most abundant phytochemical (30.626 +/- 0.400 mg/g). Antioxidant activities were moderate according to DPPH and FRAP assays. D. opposita administration notably improved mice endurance in swimming tests. Cyclic voltammetry showed loop expansion with successive cycles but lacked significant redox peaks. MFC assessments demonstrated promising bioenergy production, suggesting a possible correlation with enhanced ATP synthesis via electron transport mechanisms, thus potentially mitigating fatigue symptoms.