Article
Environmental Sciences
Huixin Xiong, Suning Peng, Bailin Zhang
Summary: In this study, the bioformation of akaganeite in FeCl2 solutions mediated by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans cells was investigated. The obtained products were characterized, revealing the formation of nanospindle-shaped akaganeite powders. It was observed that the ferric precipitates grew along the exterior structures of cells, resulting in the formation of cellular-shaped assemblages.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoxiao Guo, Siming Chen, Yawei Han, Chunbo Hao, Xiujuan Feng, Baogang Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the bioleaching of vanadium-bearing smelting ash using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The results showed that Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans had a high leaching potential for vanadium and could transfer reducible, oxidizable, and acid-soluble fractions into the leaching liquor. Therefore, bioleaching was proposed as an efficient alternative to chemical/physical processes for enhancing vanadium recovery from vanadium-bearing smelting ash.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Baojun Yang, Wen Luo, Maoxin Hong, Jun Wang, Xueduan Liu, Min Gan, Guanzhou Qiu
Summary: A novel method of using hematite to inhibit chalcopyrite biodissolution was proposed and verified in this study. The results showed that hematite significantly inhibited chalcopyrite biodissolution, resulting in the decrease of acid mine drainage (AMD) formation. It was found that hematite promoted the formation and accumulation of passivation substances on chalcopyrite surface, thus effectively suppressing chalcopyrite biodissolution and limiting the formation of AMD.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rui Xu, Qian Li, Xiaolong Nan, Guoqing Jiang, Limin Wang, Jing Xiong, Yongbin Yang, Bin Xu, Tao Jiang
Summary: A green kaolin@Fe-Mn binary (hydr)oxides composite synthesized by iron oxidizing bacteria (IOB) mediation was developed as a potential adsorbent for the simultaneous removal of antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) from contaminated water. The composite showed high specific surface area and pore volume, and exhibited efficient removal of Sb and As with adsorption capacities of 177.19, 56.26, 62.92, and 42.18 mg/g for Sb(III), Sb(V), As(III), and As(V), respectively. The kinetics data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Elovich models, and the mechanism of adsorption involved inner-sphere complexation, surface complexation, hydrogen bonding, and oxidation.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chunxiao Zhao, Baojun Yang, Rui Liao, Maoxin Hong, Shichao Yu, Shitong Liu, Jun Wang, Guanzhou Qiu
Summary: The presence of visible light and Ag+ significantly improved the copper extraction in chalcopyrite bioleaching, with specific mechanisms leading to enhanced dissolution rate and charge transfer. Light illumination helped reduce the resistance of the passivation layer and promote the accumulation of Ag2S and Ag-0 on the chalcopyrite surface.
MINERALS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaxin Li, Baogang Zhang, Meng Yang, Hai Lin
Summary: Bioleaching has the potential to efficiently and environmentally meet the demand for strategic vanadium. This study focused on bioleaching vanadium from common raw materials utilized in traditional extraction processes, finding that clinker had the highest leachability under optimized conditions. The results provide insights for developing sustainable techniques for vanadium extraction and integrating bioleaching with traditional processes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tomasz Kamizela, Anna Grobelak, Malgorzata Worwag
Summary: Bioleaching and biosorption methods are commonly used to remove metals from landfill leachates, with the addition of sulfuric acid and sulfur proving to be effective in enhancing removal efficiency. Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans bacteria showed the best bioleaching efficiency for reverse osmosis effluents among the bacteria studied.
Article
Energy & Fuels
M. Pradeep, Rajesh Shanmugavel, M. Uthayakumar, Lakshmanan Muthulakshmi, M. Adam Khan, Senthil Muthu Kumar Thiagamani, Sanjay Mavinkere Rangappa, Suchart Siengchin
Summary: This paper discusses the importance and effect of three different microorganisms used in biomachining process. The experimental results revealed that Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (At. ferrooxidans) performs better than the other two microorganisms in terms of Specific Material Removal Rate (SMRR) and Material Removal Rate (MRR). Additionally, the initial surface roughness of the work sample significantly affects SMRR and MRR.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Qingjie Hou, Di Fang, Dianzhan Wang, Jianru Liang, Lixiang Zhou
Summary: The study developed a novel AMD treatment system involving biomineralization and lime neutralization processes. Results showed that biomineralization effectively removed iron and other metal ions from AMD, while significantly reducing the use of lime and production of solid waste.
Article
Environmental Studies
Srabani Mishra, Sandeep Panda, Nilotpala Pradhan, S. K. Biswal, D. Satapathy
Summary: The study found that an iron-free medium was more effective for microbial desulphurization, with Assam coal exhibiting the highest desulphurization efficiency in this medium.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Heru Wang, Qian Guo, Zehao Guo, Haowei Luo, Honghu Li, Jun Yang, Yongwei Song
Summary: Soluble iron and sulfate in acid mine drainage can be removed through mineral formation facilitated by seed crystals. The effects of jarosite and schwertmannite as endogenous seed crystals on AMD mineralization are different.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Eduardo A. Moncayo, Alexis Debut, Karla Vizuete, Diana Jumbo-Flores, Paulina Aguirre
Summary: In this study, the researchers evaluated the attachment behavior of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans on a polymetallic sulfide ore from Ecuador, mediated by the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). They found that the highest attachment rate was achieved at specific galactose and iron ion concentrations, suggesting a potential increase in biooxidation and bioleaching rates.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rui Liao, Baojun Yang, Xiaotao Huang, Maoxing Hong, Shichao Yu, Shitong Liu, Jun Wang, Guanzhou Qiu
Summary: This study investigated the combined effect of silver and pyrite on chalcopyrite bio-dissolution, showing that their presence increased the release of copper. The promotion effect of silver and pyrite on chalcopyrite bio-dissolution was mainly attributed to the increase of ferric ions in solution and the reduction of passivation layer on chalcopyrite surface.
Article
Mining & Mineral Processing
H. Chen, O. Kimyon, H. Lamei Ramandi, M. Manefield, A. H. Kaksonen, C. Morris, A. Crosky, S. Saydam
Summary: The study indicates that Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans can cause pitting corrosion on the surface of cable bolts in near-neutral environments, potentially leading to other catastrophic failures. The presence of geomaterials slightly affects the pH of the environment, but has no significant impact on the corrosion activity of A. ferrooxidans.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MINING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Heejung Jung, Zihang Su, Yuta Inaba, Alan C. West, Scott Banta
Summary: The biological recovery of rare-earth elements (REEs) is a promising strategy due to its potential economic and environmental benefits. This study reports the discovery of lanmodulin protein and RTX domains with high affinity for lanthanide ions, as well as the use of engineered A. ferrooxidans for REE recovery. The engineered cell lines showed improved recoveries and selectivities for REEs over non-REEs, demonstrating their potential for future REE reclamation and recycling applications.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Virginia Jiang, Sagar D. Khare, Scott Banta
Summary: Cyc2 is a key protein in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans that mediates electron transfer between extracellular inorganic iron and intracellular central metabolism. A structural model of Cyc2 was proposed, highlighting a possible mechanism for the ferrous iron electron transfer chain, with identification of iron and heme docking sites. This computational model accounts for the membrane microenvironment and acidity in the extracellular matrix, and can be applied to model other TMBBs important for chemolithotrophic microbial growth.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yuta Inaba, Alan C. West, Scott Banta
Summary: The overexpression of glutathione in A. ferrooxidans enhances halotolerance and iron oxidation ability, allowing the cells to grow under inhibitory salt concentrations and pH conditions. Furthermore, the increase in glutathione levels leads to higher levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species, improving the cell's ability to tolerate oxidative stress in the presence of salt.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadim Massad, Scott Banta
Summary: Protein engineering has been utilized to enhance the activities and stabilities of enzymes by introducing synthetic swing arms and utilizing modular assembly methods. Increasing NAD(H)-PEG swing arms has been shown to improve the performance of synthetic oxidoreductases, while also enabling the prediction of K-M values for new enzymes.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Heejung Jung, Yuta Inaba, Virginia Jiang, Alan C. West, Scott Banta
Summary: Metal processing using microorganisms has potential for reduced environmental impacts. This study demonstrated the enhanced metal binding capacity of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans through the fusion of polyhistidine tags to endogenous proteins. The cellular localization of the recombinant proteins correlated with their binding behavior, and the polyhistidine sequences showed selectivity for cobalt in mixed metal solutions.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Walaa Abdallah, Xiao Hong, Scott Banta, Ian Wheeldon
Summary: Natural cascades often use spatial organization to introduce beneficial substrate channeling mechanisms, which has been widely adopted in engineered multienzyme cascades. Utilizing new molecular scaffolds now allows testing the effects of spatial organization on cascade kinetics, but these scaffolds can also change the microenvironment experienced by the assembled enzymes, complicating kinetic analysis.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Heejung Jung, Yuta Inaba, Scott Banta
Summary: Iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria thrive in extremely acidic conditions and play important roles in biogeochemical cycles. They also have potential applications in industrial metal bioleaching and future biotechnology. However, their unique growth conditions make genetic techniques challenging. Researchers have successfully developed genetic tools and conducted genetic engineering on Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, a model organism with iron- and sulfur-oxidizing capabilities.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sarah A. Berlinger, Anamika Chowdhury, Tim Van Cleve, Aaron He, Nicholas Dagan, Kenneth C. Neyerlin, Bryan D. McCloskey, Clayton J. Radke, Adam Z. Weber
Summary: The article explores the impact of changing the primary particle loading (PPL) on the performance of catalyst layers (CLs) in electrochemical energy conversion technologies. It identifies a direct correlation between high current density performance and zeta-potential of the solution-processed inks used to form the CLs.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sarah A. . Berlinger, Xunkai Chen, Maxim Yutkin, Clayton J. Radke
Summary: The current methodologies for interpreting QCM-D data do not adequately describe the physics of solution adsorption, and a new self-consistent continuum model is developed to overcome these deficiencies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Heejung Jung, Yuta Inaba, Jonathan T. Vardner, Alan C. West, Scott Banta
Summary: With the decrease in high-grade ore reserves, it is crucial to develop suitable metal extraction methods for processing low-grade materials. Bioleaching, an energy- and environmentally friendly process, is effective for processing copper and other sulfidic ores. Overexpression of licanantase protein in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans improves cell attachment and biofilm formation, enhancing the bioleaching efficiency of certain low-grade copper ores.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emma Willett, Virginia Jiang, Ronald L. Koder, Scott Banta
Summary: NADK is the only enzyme capable of phosphorylating NAD(H) to NADP(H) and plays a crucial role in maintaining NAD(P)(H) homeostasis. The reverse activity of pigeon liver NADK was investigated, which can form ATP and NAD(+) from ADP and NADP(+). Four recombinant NADKs were characterized, showing that duck and cat NADKs have high activity in the reverse direction.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nadim Massad, Scott Banta
Summary: There is a growing interest in upgrading inexpensive and abundant C-1 feedstocks to higher carbon products. Linear carbon ligation routes are favored due to their simplicity and potential for high carbon efficiencies. This study provides a theoretical framework for comparing the performance of FLS enzymes, which is crucial for designing and implementing novel carbon ligation pathways.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ipek Simay Gokulu, Scott Banta
Summary: The functionalization of proteins with DNA through covalent bond formation enables various biotechnology advancements. DNA labeling of proteins allows for easy identification, organization, and control within DNA-protein networks. Bioconjugation reactions can target different amino acids within proteins, and further protein engineering methods can be used for conjugation reactions. The choice of technique depends on factors such as yield, selectivity, conjugation position, cost, and potential impact on protein function.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jonathan T. Vardner, Yuta Inaba, Heejung Jung, Raymond S. Farinato, D. R. Nagaraj, Scott Banta, Alan C. West
Summary: A hydrometallurgical process has been developed for the cost-effective production of copper during the global shift towards renewable energy technologies. Unlike conventional oxidative treatments, this process utilizes a reductive treatment of chalcopyrite using chromium(II) ions. This study demonstrates the successful reduction of chalcopyrite into copper(I) chloride at room temperature and pressure, with complete reaction within minutes. The reductive treatment is followed by leaching of the mineral products using iron(III) sulfate for complete copper extraction, and the chromium(II) ions can be regenerated through an electrolysis unit.
Article
Electrochemistry
Jonathan T. Vardner, Elifsu Gencer, Melissa Emerson, Raymond S. Farinato, D. R. Nagaraj, Scott Banta, Alan C. West
Summary: The demand for copper is projected to exceed supply in the coming decades due to the increased use of wind and solar technologies. This study introduces a potentially transformative hydrometallurgical process to effectively extract copper from chalcopyrite and ensure high copper production rates throughout the 21st century. By reacting chalcopyrite with vanadium (II) sulfate, copper can be rapidly, cleanly, and completely recovered.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Samavi Farnush Bint E. Naser, Hui Su, Han-Yuan Liu, Zachary A. Manzer, Zhongmou Chao, Arpita Roy, Anna-Maria Pappa, Alberto Salleo, Roisin M. Owens, Susan Daniel
Summary: The study utilized ganglioside-enriched lipid bilayer mimics to investigate changes in membrane electrical properties upon toxin binding, exploring the sensing capabilities of the platform through varying receptor and toxin concentrations as well as complex samples. The research highlights the potential of conducting polymer-supported biomembrane platforms for detecting toxins, studying molecular interactions, and screening inhibitors.
ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS
(2021)