[Isolation and characterization of a manganese-oxidizing bacterium from soils]

The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize manganese (Ⅱ)-oxidizing bacteria from surrounding area of manganese mine.

Mn (Ⅱ)-oxidizing strains were isolated based on the ability to produce brown Mn oxides on agar plates. The presence of Mn oxides was confirmed by using the leucoberbelin blue (LBB) assay. The isolate was identified by morphological and physiological characterization and sequence analyses of 16S rRNA gene, gyrB gene and gyrA gene. The phylogenetic relationship between the isolated strain and reported Mn (Ⅱ) oxidizers was also analyzed. LBB assay was used to indicate the kinetics of Mn (Ⅱ) oxides formation. The Mn oxides morphology and chemical contents were determined by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer and X-ray diffraction.

An isolate, named strain CP133, with high manganese oxidizing activity was obtained and identified as Bacillus cereus. There were some phylogenetic differences between strain CP133 and other Mn (Ⅱ)-oxidizing Bacillus species isolated from deep sea and soils. Strain CP133 produced amorphous manganese oxides that adhered to spore surface after the stationary phase of the cell culture. About 0.3 mmol/L manganese oxides was obtained after 12 days.

A Mn (Ⅱ)-oxidizing Bacillus cereus was successfully isolated. Our results suggest the diversity of Mn (Ⅱ)-oxidizing Bacillus species, and help understanding biogeochemical cycles in manganese mine and surrounding soils.