In many European regions, both local metallic and non-metallic raw materials are poorly exploited due to their low quality and the lack of technologies to increase their economic value. In this context, the development of low cost and eco-friendly approaches, such as bioleaching of metal impurities, is crucial. The acidophilic strain Acidiphilium sp. SJH reduces Fe(III) to Fe(II) by coupling the oxidation of an organic substrate to the reduction of Fe(III) and can therefore be applied in the bioleaching of iron impurities from non-metallic raw materials. In this work, the physiology of Acidiphilium sp. SJH and the reduction of iron impurities from quartz sand and its derivatives have been studied during growth on media supplemented with various carbon sources and under different oxygenation conditions, highlighting that cell physiology and iron reduction are tightly coupled. Although the organism is known to be aerobic, maximum bioleaching performance was obtained by cultures cultivated until the exponential phase of growth under oxygen limitation. Among carbon sources, glucose has been shown to support faster biomass growth, while galactose allowed highest bioleaching. Moreover, Acidiphilium sp. SJH cells can synthesise and accumulate Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) during the process, a polymer with relevant application in biotechnology. In summary, this work gives an insight into the physiology of Acidiphilium sp. SJH, able to use different carbon sources and to synthesise a technologically relevant polymer (PHB), while removing metals from sand without the need to introduce modifications in the process set up.

Marchetti, A., Kupka, D., Senatore, V., Bártová, Z., Branduardi, P., Hagarová, L., et al. (2024). Iron bioleaching and polymers accumulation by an extreme acidophilic bacterium. ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY, 206(6) [10.1007/s00203-024-04005-4].

Iron bioleaching and polymers accumulation by an extreme acidophilic bacterium

Marchetti A.
Primo
;
Senatore V. G.;Branduardi P.;Lotti M.
Ultimo
2024

Abstract

In many European regions, both local metallic and non-metallic raw materials are poorly exploited due to their low quality and the lack of technologies to increase their economic value. In this context, the development of low cost and eco-friendly approaches, such as bioleaching of metal impurities, is crucial. The acidophilic strain Acidiphilium sp. SJH reduces Fe(III) to Fe(II) by coupling the oxidation of an organic substrate to the reduction of Fe(III) and can therefore be applied in the bioleaching of iron impurities from non-metallic raw materials. In this work, the physiology of Acidiphilium sp. SJH and the reduction of iron impurities from quartz sand and its derivatives have been studied during growth on media supplemented with various carbon sources and under different oxygenation conditions, highlighting that cell physiology and iron reduction are tightly coupled. Although the organism is known to be aerobic, maximum bioleaching performance was obtained by cultures cultivated until the exponential phase of growth under oxygen limitation. Among carbon sources, glucose has been shown to support faster biomass growth, while galactose allowed highest bioleaching. Moreover, Acidiphilium sp. SJH cells can synthesise and accumulate Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) during the process, a polymer with relevant application in biotechnology. In summary, this work gives an insight into the physiology of Acidiphilium sp. SJH, able to use different carbon sources and to synthesise a technologically relevant polymer (PHB), while removing metals from sand without the need to introduce modifications in the process set up.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Acidiphilium; Acidophiles; Bioleaching; Extremophiles; Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB);
English
22-mag-2024
2024
206
6
275
open
Marchetti, A., Kupka, D., Senatore, V., Bártová, Z., Branduardi, P., Hagarová, L., et al. (2024). Iron bioleaching and polymers accumulation by an extreme acidophilic bacterium. ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY, 206(6) [10.1007/s00203-024-04005-4].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Marchetti-2024-Arch Microbiol-VoR.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia di allegato: Publisher’s Version (Version of Record, VoR)
Licenza: Creative Commons
Dimensione 6.32 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
6.32 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/482819
Citazioni
  • Scopus 0
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 0
Social impact