Papers by Keyword: Bioreduction

Abstract: This work controls the absorption of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) via green synthesis utilizing Sargassum crassifolium extract. The amount of seaweed extract acts as both reducing (from Au⁺ to Au⁰) and capping agent. The S. crassifolium extract is mainly composed of biomolecules such as protein and phenolic compounds which are responsible for the synthesis of GNPs. The synthesized GNPs were characterized using UV-Visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). UV-Vis spectra revealed peaks around 505 nm to 544 nm which corresponds to the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) of GNPs. FTIR spectroscopy analysis showed peak at 825 cm^-1 and 1144 cm^-1 which corresponds to the signature peaks of GNPs. Polydisperse GNPs with varied sizes (between 5 nm to 300 nm) were further confirmed by TEM analysis.

Abstract: Bioreduction of ferric iron-rich wastes is a rapidly emerging technology for the extraction/ recovery of metals from low-grade ores and metallurgical wastes. However, despite studies being successful, they have only been demonstrated at laboratory scale and issues relating to economic, industrial scale application have yet to be studied. Using bioreduction as a pre-treatment to increase recovery yield is a relatively new concept. This study examines the biostimulation of microbial communities to induce bioreduction of metalliferous sludge and the effect that this has on the leachability of metals from the waste using dilute sulphuric acid. Data shows an increase in both zinc and copper leachability after bioreduction, with maximum six fold and eleven fold increase (compared to pre-treatment) in the amount of zinc and copper leached respectively.

Abstract: This study describes extracellular biosynthesis of cadmium sulfide quantum dots by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Mycelia was incubated with a cadmium sulfate solution at 30°C and after 12 days the mixture became yellow, then the biomass was discarded through paper filtration. The filtrate containing extracellular cadmium sulfide quantum dots displayed increased UV-Vis absorption from 300 - 500 nm and fluorescence at 520 nm which was not shown when incubated without cadmium sulfide, thus indicating the presence of biologically synthesized quantum dots. Transmission electron microscope analysis of biologically synthesized quantum dots evinced individual 2 - 6 nm diameter circular nanoparticles of uniform size. Energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the presence of S and Cd. Additionally, this study showed the relevance in the use of positive and negative controls when evaluating the biosynthesis of CdS quantum dots using UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometry.

Abstract: This research reported on synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens zxw01 culture mixed with silver nitrate. The nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM).In addition, we discussed synthesis mechanism by comparing the protein files of the bacteria before and after mixed with silver nitrate and proteins attached to silver nanoparticles. Our results indicated that silver nanoparticles biosynthesized by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens zxw01 were equally distributed with size between 5 nm to 30 nm and face-centred cubic structure; results of SDS-PAGE suggested that after mixed with silver nitrate, the bacteria differentially expressed and produced a new protein with weight of 33 kDa. Furthermore, analysis of proteins attached to silver nanoparticles indicated that protein with weight of 33 kDa was related to the synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

Abstract: Bioremediation can be applied for the treatment of metal/metalloid and radionuclide bearing water streams in order to immobilize the targeted species. Interactions of microbial cells with soluble targeted species may occur during the microbial metabolism and result to the reduction of their mobility and toxicity. The most important metabolically mediated immobilization processes for metal/metalloid and radionuclide species are bioprecipitation and bioreduction. Bioprecipitation includes the transformation of soluble species to insoluble hydroxides, carbonates, phosphates and sulfides as a result of the microbial metabolism. In the case of biological reduction, the cells use the species as terminal electron acceptors in anoxic environments to produce energy and/or reduce the toxicity of the cells microenvironment. These processes can be the basis of technologies for the rehabilitation of contaminated sites both for surface and groundwater aquifers, soils and industrial water streams. Such technologies are recently developed and applied both in pilot and full scale, although the related mechanisms are complicated and not always fully understood.

Abstract: Bio-manufacturing of nano-scale palladium was achieved using bacterial cells. Highly active Pd-catalyst (Bio-Pd) produced by an E. coli mutant gave power output in a fuel cell. Up to ~115% of the maximum power generation was achieved by electrodes of Bio-Pd catalysts from Escherichia coli, compared to that from a commercial-Pd electrode (~0.099 W). A bio-precious-metals (Bio-PM) catalyst made directly from an industrial reprocessing solution by the E. coli was also made into fuel cell electrodes and ~0.06W of maximum power generation was observed.

Abstract: Since 1998 demand for the platinum group metals (PGM) has exceeded supply resulting in large price increases. Undersupply, combined with rising costs prompts environmentally friendly recycling technologies. Leachates containing PGM were produced from secondary waste sources using microwave leaching technology with the aim of recovering precious metals using bacterial biomass. Previous studies showed that metallised biomass exhibits catalytic activity; hence metal is not only recovered but can be converted into a valuable product. Cells of Escherichia coli MC4100 that had been pre-metallised with Pt were more effective at reducing PGM from the leachates. The solid recovered from the leachate onto the bacteria was characterised using X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis (EDX). Metallised biomass was tested for catalytic activity (reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III)) to compare the ‘quality’ of polymetallic bacterial-based catalysts versus counterparts made from single and mixed metal model solutions.

Abstract: Microbial reduction of Au(III) from HAuCl4 was demonstrated. Escherichia coli and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans reduced 1 mM Au(III) in 60 and 120 min at pH 6.9 and 2.3 respectively. TEM and elemental analysis showed the formation of Au(0) nanoparticles and their pH-dependent cellular localisation. The concept was applied to the recovery of gold from jewellery waste leachates using E. coli. Bio-Au(0) nanoparticles were tested for catalytic activity in the oxidation of glycerol, achieving 30% conversion to glyceric acid. A simple bioprocess for conversion of waste to new material is suggested.

Abstract: Microbial cell – soluble species interactions can be part of technologies for the treatment of metal/metalloid and radionuclide bearing water streams in order to sequester the targeted species. Interactions of microbial cells and soluble targeted species include passive and active processes of metabolically inactive or active biomass, and result in the reduction of their mobility and toxicity. Different parts of the cell may sequester targeted species via processes such as complexation, chelation, coordination, ion exchange, precipitation and reduction. Collectively, these mechanisms have been referred to as sorption and the overall phenomenon as biosorption. The term biosorption is generally used to describe the passive interaction of microbial biomass with targeted species. The technologies based on these processes, lead to the set up of units, mainly in the form of packed bed reactors similar to the configuration of ion exchange resins reactors, placed at the end of a treatment process as a polishing stage. In order to maintain durability of the sorbent, the microbial cells harvested from different sources, are formulated into particles by way of immobilization – pelletization. In the early years of Biosorption, a significant effort was devoted to study the reusability of the sorbent by repeated sorption – desorption cycles, in order to reduce the operating cost of the technology. The availability of the biosorbent material, the reversibility of the desorption process, the presence of competing co-ions and organic molecules, posed significant scepticism and finally serious doubt about the industrial applicability of biosorption as a stand alone technology. However the mechanisms are active and present in biological reactors, and can contribute to overall species sequestering. Biological reactors based on active microbial biomass as alternative to passive sorption, exploit the self regenerating features of living biomass along with the traits of microbial metabolism. Active cells produce metabolites (i.e. EPS, simple inorganic moieties etc.) interacting chemically with the targeted species. The active biomass offers the additional attractive feature of forming biofilms on the surface of carrier materials allowing a natural way of cell immobilization. Different biofilm reactor configurations e.g. static or moving bed filters, fluidized bed reactors, rotating biological contactors support the development of biofilms. Conditions such as temperature, pH, presence of toxic compounds etc. should be considered in the applicability of the technology. Important metabolically mediated immobilization processes for metal/metalloid and radionuclide species are bioprecipitation and bioreduction. Bioprecipitation processes include the transformation of soluble species to insoluble hydroxides, carbonates, phosphates, sulfides or metal – organic complexes as a result of the microbial metabolism. In the case of biological reduction, the cells may use the species as terminal electron acceptors in anoxic environments to produce energy or reduce the toxicity of the cells microenvironment. Such processes form the basis for treatment technologies which are recently developed and applied both in pilot and full scale.