Fluid-like electrodes and Purple Phototrophic Bacteria: bridging the gap in wastewater biorefineries

•A Fluid-like electrode can accept electrons from the metabolism of planktonic PPB.•A Fluid-like anode enhances biodegradation rate (2-fold).•Geobacter genus was the electroactive bacteria outcompeting under dark conditions.•Electroactive PPB outcompeted others under IR illumination and electrostimulation.•Fluid-like bed bioreactors are useful in recovering nutrients as PPB biomass.