Abstract

BIOFILM FORMATION BY ACIDITHIOBACILLUS FERROOXIDANS ON PYRITE ORE

Richa Yadav*

Abstract

Bioleaching is the assembly of metal cations from insoluble ores by microorganisms. Biofilms can enhance this process. Since Acidithiobacillus often appears in leaching heaps or reactors, this genus has aroused attention. In this study, biofilm formation and subsequent pyrite dissolution by the Gram-negative, non-spore forming rod, moderately thermophilic acidophile Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans were investigated. This species is of particular in the industry because of its working pH which is 1.5-3 where most metal ions remain in solution resulting in easy separation. An indigenous laboratory scale bioreactor has been prepared where the oxidation of pyrite (FeS2) carried by using the bacterial strain Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, were tested for enhancement of its biofilm formation on pyrite ore.

Keywords: Bioleaching, Quorum sensing, growth kinetics.