Direct electron transfer from different Shewanella putrefaciens strains to an electrode was examined using cyclic voltammetry and a fuel cell type electrochemical cell. Both methods determine the electrochemical activity of the bacterium without any electrochemical mediators. In the cyclic voltammetric studies, anaerobically grown cells of Shewanella putrefaciens MR-1, IR-1, and SR-21 showed electrochemical activities, but no activities were observed in aerobically grown Shewanella putrefaciens cells nor in aerobically and anaerobically grown E. coli cell suspensions. The electrochemical activities measured by the cyclic voltammetric method were closely related to the electric potential and current generation capacities in the microbial fuel cell system. Cytochromes localized to the outer membrane are believed to facilitate the direct electron transfer to the electrode from the intact bacterial cells. The concentration of the electron donor in the anode compartment determined the current generation capacity and potential development in the microbial fuel cell. When the high concentration of the bacteria (0.47 g dry cell weight/liter) and an electrode that has large surface area (apparent area: 50 cm(2)) were used, relatively high Coulombic yield (over 3 C for 12 h) was obtained from the bacteria.