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Microbial transformations of selenite by methane-oxidizing bacteria.

Abdurrahman S Eswayah1,2, Thomas J Smith1, Andreas C Scheinost3,4

  • 1Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
|June 25, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Methane-oxidizing bacteria can transform toxic selenite into elemental selenium nanoparticles. This discovery opens possibilities for bioremediation and selenium nanoparticle production.

Keywords:
BioremediationElemental seleniumMethane-oxidizing bacteriaMicrobial transformationSelenite

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Biotechnology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Methane-oxidizing bacteria are crucial for the global methane cycle.
  • These bacteria can degrade hydrocarbons and chlorinated pollutants.
  • Emerging research shows interactions between these bacteria and inorganic pollutants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between methane-oxidizing bacteria and selenite.
  • To determine if specific bacterial strains can transform selenite.
  • To characterize the resulting selenium products and their formation location.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized pure strains of methane-oxidizing bacteria, Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b.
  • Characterized elemental selenium nanoparticles using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS).
  • Employed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and cell fractionation to identify nanoparticle formation sites.

Main Results:

  • Both Methylococcus capsulatus and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b reduced selenite (SeO32-) to elemental selenium nanoparticles (Se0).
  • Selenate (SeO42-) was not reduced by these bacterial strains.
  • Nanoparticle formation predominantly occurred on the bacterial cell wall.
  • Volatile selenium compounds were produced, indicating further transformation of selenium species.

Conclusions:

  • Methane-oxidizing bacteria can biotransform toxic selenite into elemental selenium nanoparticles.
  • These bacteria exhibit potential for bioremediation of selenite-contaminated environments.
  • The findings suggest applications in the biotechnological production of selenium nanoparticles.