Probing the robustness of Geobacter sulfurreducens against fermentation hydrolysate for uses in bioelectrochemical systems

•G. sulfurreducens response to toxic ions/acids in real hydrolysate was investigated.•Excess K+ up to 150 mM was less toxic than Na+ with slight decreases in growth rate.•Butyrate (≥10 mM) was more inhibitory to G. sulfurreducens than propionate (≥25 mM)•G. sulfurreducens anodic biofilm showed higher robustness than planktonic cells.•Gradual introducing of diluted-hydrolysate to a FP-BES could achieve ∼3.5 A/m2.