A sustainable approach on biomining of low-grade bauxite by P. simplicissimum using molasses medium.

In order to find a sustainable and low-cost alternative route to the traditional recovery of aluminum, the filamentous fungus Penicillium simplicissimum was evaluated for aluminum recovery from low-grade bauxite ore. The oat-agar medium was carefully chosen as the foremost solid medium for fungal sporulation due to lower cost, ease in preparation, and high spore production in a short incubation time. To examine the acid production capability in submerged fermentation, P.

Innovative method for encapsulating highly pigmented biomass from Aspergillus nidulans mutant for copper ions removal and recovery.

Biosorption has been considered a promising technology for the treatment of industrial effluents containing heavy metals. However, the development of a cost-effective technique for biomass immobilization is essential for successful application of biosorption in industrial processes. In this study, a new method of reversible encapsulation of the highly pigmented biomass from Aspergillus nidulans mutant using semipermeable cellulose membrane was developed and the efficiency of the encapsulated biosorbent in the removal and recovery of copper ions was evaluated.

Sulfate removal rate and metal recovery as settling precipitates in bioreactors: Influence of electron donors.

Four down-flow structured bed bioreactors were operated targeting biological sulfate-reduction and metal recovery. Three different electron donors were tested: glycerol (R1), lactate (R2), sucrose (R3), and a blend of the previous three (R4) with an increasing copper influent load (5, 15, and 30 mg Cu.L).

Pre-treatment and temperature effects on the use of slow release electron donor for biological sulfate reduction.

Lignocellulosic materials can be used as slow release electron donor (SRED) for biological sulfate reduction, potentially enhancing the subsequent metal sulfide precipitation. Lignocellulosic materials require a pre-treatment step in other biotechnological applications, but pre-treatment strategies for its use as a SRED for biological sulfate reduction have not yet been tested. Three pre-treatments strategies (mechanical, acid, and mechanical followed by acid pre-treatment) were tested to enhance electron donor release from brewery spent grain (BSG), and compared to a non-pre-treated control.

Enhanced bio-recovery of aluminum from low-grade bauxite using adapted fungal strains.

Filamentous fungi have been proved to have a pronounced capability to recover metals from mineral ores. However, the metal recovery yield is reduced due to toxic effects triggered by various heavy metals present in the ore. The current study highlights the fungal adaptations to the toxic effects of metals at higher pulp densities for the enhanced bio-recovery of aluminum from low-grade bauxite.

Differential gene expression in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans LR planktonic and attached cells in the presence of chalcopyrite.

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is commonly used in bioleaching operations to recover copper from sulfide ores. It is commonly accepted that A. ferrooxidans attaches to mineral surfaces by means of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), however the role of type IV pili and tight adherence genes in this process is poorly understood.