Analysis into the possible biomineralization using Staphylococcus sp. H6 and Arthrobacter sp. G7 strains

Abstract

With daily advances being made in many industrial and scientific fields, huge emphasis is placed on environmentally friendly solutions for different applications. One such solution is biomineralization – a process in which the metabolism of microorganisms is used to create a microenvironment in which precipitation of various inorganic minerals can occur1. This process is commonly referred as MICP or MICCP (microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation). The production of these biominerals invited scientists worldwide for harnessing this capability of microbes for various bioengineering applications2.The precipitation of carbonates via urea hydrolysis by ureolytic bacteria is the most straightforward and most easily controlled mechanism of MICCP with potential to produce high amounts of carbonates in short period of time2. During bacterial metabolism urea is hydrolyzed to produce ammonium and carbonate, which reacts with water to produce ammonium and bicarbonate, after which bicarbonate reacts with calcium ions to produce calcium carbonate. This process can be used improve the structural strength of concrete constructions, reduce soil erosion, remove heavy metals and radionuclides, sequester carbon dioxide and calcium from the environment.