IMPORTANCE OF EXTRACELLULAR POLYMERIC SUBSTANCES FROM THIOBACILLUS-FERROOXIDANS FOR BIOLEACHING

Authors
GEHRKE T TELEGDI J THIERRY D SAND W
Citation
T. Gehrke et al., IMPORTANCE OF EXTRACELLULAR POLYMERIC SUBSTANCES FROM THIOBACILLUS-FERROOXIDANS FOR BIOLEACHING, Applied and environmental microbiology, 64(7), 1998, pp. 2743-2747
Citations number
34
Categorie Soggetti
Microbiology,"Biothechnology & Applied Migrobiology
Journal title
Applied and environmental microbiology → ACNP
ISSN journal
00992240
Volume
64
Issue
7
Year of publication
1998
Pages
2743 - 2747
Database
ISI
SICI code
0099-2240(1998)64:7<2743:IOEPSF>2.0.ZU;2-J
Abstract
Leaching bacteria such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans attach to pyrite o r sulfur by means of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) (lipopol ysaccharides). The primary attachment to pyrite at pH 2 is mediated by exopolymer complexed iron(III) ions in an electrochemical interaction with the negatively charged pyrite surface. EPS from sulfur cells pos sess increased hydrophobic properties and do not attach to pyrite, ind icating adaptability to the substrate or substratum.