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Published on: December 19, 2017
Microbially induced separation of quartz from hematite using sulfate reducing bacteria
M R Sabari Prakasan1, K A Natarajan
1Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|March 30, 2010
Summary
Environmentally benign microbially induced flotation using Desulfovibrio desulfuricans successfully separated quartz from hematite. Bacterial proteins and polysaccharides altered mineral surface properties, enhancing selective separation.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Mineral Processing
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Traditional mineral separation methods often involve harsh chemicals.
- Microbially induced flotation offers a greener alternative using bacterial cells and their metabolic products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans for separating quartz from hematite.
- To understand the surface-chemical changes induced by bacterial adaptation and interaction with minerals.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of bacterial metabolic products (proteins and polysaccharides).
- Studying the interaction between bacterial cells/metabolites and quartz/hematite surfaces.
- Adsorption studies to determine the role of bacterial components on mineral surfaces.
- Microbially induced flotation experiments.
Main Results:
- Biotreatment rendered quartz more hydrophobic and hematite more hydrophilic.
- Bacterial polysaccharides predominantly adsorbed onto hematite, while proteins adsorbed onto quartz.
- Mineral-specific proteins secreted by quartz-adapted cells conferred hydrophobicity to quartz.
- Selective separation of quartz from hematite was achieved.
Conclusions:
- Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and its metabolic products are effective bioreagents for flotation.
- Bacterial adaptation leads to mineral-specific protein secretion, crucial for selective mineral hydrophobicity.
- Microbially induced flotation presents a sustainable approach for mineral separation.
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