The removal of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) was studied under anaerobic conditions using oligotrophic and copiotrophic microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as a novel wastewater treatment process. Over 85% of NTA was removed from oligotrophic MFCs enriched and maintained with fuel containing NTA, whilst the value was around 20% in oligotrophic MFCs fed with NTA-free fuel, and in copiotrophic MFCs enriched with NTA containing fuel. The oligotrophic MFCs generated current with concomitant utilization of NTA when served as the sole organic compound, suggesting that NTA is oxidized its suitability as fuel in the MFCs. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.