Treatment and renewable electricity generation. In this study, a dual-chamber Plant Microbial Fuel Cell was developed and evaluated under two configurations—with and without plants—to treat dairy wastewater while producing electricity. The system employed Shewanella oneidensis as the exoelectrogenic microorganism and Cyperus rotundus as the plant species in the anodic chamber, separated from the cathode by a proton exchange membrane. The treatment efficiency was assessed through reductions in Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, and Total Suspended Solids. Results indicated that the integration of Cyperus rotundus significantly enhanced both pollutant removal and electricity generation. The Plant Microbial Fuel Cell with plants achieved 99%, 74%, and 98% removal efficiencies for BOD, COD, and TSS, respectively, compared with 99%, 66%, and 97% in the system without plants. The maximum voltage output of 0.82 V and a power density of 320 mW/m2 were recorded in the planted PMFC. The overall Columbic efficiency was 75% with plants and 63% without, suggesting improved electron recovery due to plant–microbe interactions and rhizosphere activity. The findings confirm that integrating Cyperus rotundus into PMFCs promotes microbial activity, enhances mass transfer, and provides an effective, eco-friendly dual-purpose solution for dairy wastewater remediation and sustainable energy production. This study demonstrates the potential of PMFCs as a viable alternative for energy-efficient wastewater treatment systems in industrial applications.
