Soluble and solid iron reduction assays with Desulfitobacterium hafniense

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Materials Science
• Microbial Conservation of Cultural Heritage

Background:

• Iron objects face degradation, necessitating sustainable conservation methods.
• Current methods for iron corrosion stabilization are often inefficient or unsustainable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a bio-protocol for the conservation of corroded iron objects.
• To investigate the potential of *Desulfitobacterium hafniense* for iron stabilization.

Main Methods:

• Utilized *Desulfitobacterium hafniense* (strains TCE1 and LBE) for iron reduction.
• Investigated iron reduction using soluble Fe(III)-citrate, solid akaganeite, and corroded coupons.
• Employed spectrophotometric quantification (Fe(II)-Ferrozine®) and mineral characterization (SEM, Raman spectroscopy).

Main Results:

• Demonstrated reductive dissolution of ferric iron by *D. hafniense*.
• Confirmed biogenic production of stabilizing ferrous iron minerals.
• Validated the efficacy of the combined analytical methods for assessing the process.

Conclusions:

• Biogenic mineral production by *D. hafniense* shows promise for stabilizing corroded iron.
• This bio-protocol offers an innovative and sustainable approach to iron conservation.
• Further development could lead to advanced methods for preserving iron artifacts.