Bioelectrogenicactivity of microbial fuel cells (MFC) augmented with electrochemically active bacteria (EAB, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and non-EAB (Escherichia con) as biocatalysts was investigated. Anodic microflora augmented with P. aeruginosa (AMEC(P)) yielded higher electrogenic activity (418 mV; 3.87 mA) than E. coli (AMFC(E); 254 mV; 1.67 mA) and non-augmented native microflora (MFCC; 235 my; 1.37 mA). Higher redox currents along with lower Tafel-slopes were observed with AMEC(P) operation compared to AMFC(E) and MFCC due to manifestation of bioaugmentation thereby minimizing the losses. A fourfold and twofold increase in capacitance and exchange current was observed with AMEC(P) and AMFC(E) operation respectively, when compared to MFCC. Tracking of augmented biocatalyst by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with defined probes documented the survivability of Pseudomonas sp. in higher numbers than Enterobacteriaceae. Study corroborated enhanced electron transfer capability of mixed consortia owing to the synergistic interaction with EAB due to augmentation. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.