Phosphorus recovery from phosphogypsum by Bacillus altitudinis

This study investigated the phosphorus recovery potential and associated metabolic responses of Bacillus altitudinis under phosphorus-rich conditions using integrated phenotypic, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Phosphate exposure was accompanied by extracellular polymeric substance remodeling and increased cell-associated phosphorus signals, while the Pst/Pit transport systems and PhoP-PhoR-related genes showed transcriptional reorganization. Increased ppk transcription indicated enhanced polyphosphate (poly-P)-associated metabolic potential. Integrated transcriptomic-metabolomic analysis revealed coordinated remodeling of PTS- and ABC-transporter-associated processes, nucleotide/purine metabolism, and energy-related pathways. Collectively, these findings support a multi-layer adaptive response linking extracellular phosphorus retention, phosphate-transport regulation, transcriptome-based poly-P-associated metabolic potential, and broader metabolic reprogramming. B. altitudinis therefore represents a promising candidate for biological phosphorus capture and further evaluation toward phosphorus recovery from phosphogypsum and other phosphate-rich waste streams.