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Enhancement of growth and ferrous iron oxidation rates of T. ferrooxidans by electrochemical reduction of ferric iron

Journal Article · · Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States)
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Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, the bacterium most widely used in bioleaching or microbial desulfurization of coal, was grown in an electrolytic bioreactor containing a synthetic, ferrous sulfate medium. Passage of current through the medium reduced the bacterially generated ferric iron to the ferrous iron substrate. When used in conjunction with an inoculum that had been adapted to the electrolytic growth conditions, this technique increased the protein (cell) concentration by 3.7 times, increased the protein (cell) production rate by 6.5 times, increased the yield coefficient (cellular efficiency) by 8.0 times, and increased the ferrous iron oxidation rate by 1.5 times at 29/sup 0/C, compared with conventional cultivation techniques. A Monod-type equation with accepted values for the maximum specific growth rate could not account for the increased growth rate under electrolytic conditions.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman
OSTI ID:
6929294
Journal Information:
Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng.; (United States) Vol. 28:12; ISSN BIBIA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

550700* -- Microbiology
560400 -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
DESULFURIZATION
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
GROWTH
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFATES
MICROORGANISMS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REDOX REACTIONS
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR-OXIDIZING BACTERIA
THIOBACILLUS FERROXIDANS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS