Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> Species and Their Relevance to Bioleaching
Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by microorganisms play a crucial role in various bioprocesses, including bioleaching. The microbial leaching of metal sulfides requires an initial cell attachment, which is facilitated by EPS. These substances are mixtures of polysaccharides, protein...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/3/310 |
| _version_ | 1797610009465454592 |
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| author | Camila Castro Edgardo R. Donati Mario Vera |
| author_facet | Camila Castro Edgardo R. Donati Mario Vera |
| author_sort | Camila Castro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by microorganisms play a crucial role in various bioprocesses, including bioleaching. The microbial leaching of metal sulfides requires an initial cell attachment, which is facilitated by EPS. These substances are mixtures of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and other compounds, and their composition and properties can vary depending on the species, growth conditions, and environmental factors. Despite the significance of iron/sulfur oxidizing species in biomining processes, the knowledge of the interfacial processes between thermoacidophilic archaeal species and mineral surfaces is limited. This study examines the cell surface characteristics and EPS produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> strain. The research was conducted using microscopic techniques, Zeta-potential measurements, spectrophotometric methods, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and fluorescence lectin-binding analysis. The results suggest that non-soluble substrates, such as sulfur or pyrite, induce changes in cell surface structures, including the presence of cell appendages, wider cell envelopes, higher hydrophobicities, and increased EPS production, compared to cells grown with soluble substrates such as tetrathionate or ferrous iron. The EPS mainly consist of proteins and carbohydrates, including glucose, manose, <i>N</i>-acetylgalactosamine, and <i>N</i>-acetylglucosamine residues. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between thermophilic archaea and mineral surfaces in biomining processes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:09:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-916bef5ede484ba1b02b2ea36a9178f4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T06:09:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-916bef5ede484ba1b02b2ea36a9178f42023-11-17T12:46:49ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2023-02-0113331010.3390/min13030310Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> Species and Their Relevance to BioleachingCamila Castro0Edgardo R. Donati1Mario Vera2CINDEFI (CCT La Plata—CONICET, U.N.L.P.), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, ArgentinaCINDEFI (CCT La Plata—CONICET, U.N.L.P.), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata 1900, ArgentinaInstitute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Biological Sciences and Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 4860, ChileExtracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by microorganisms play a crucial role in various bioprocesses, including bioleaching. The microbial leaching of metal sulfides requires an initial cell attachment, which is facilitated by EPS. These substances are mixtures of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and other compounds, and their composition and properties can vary depending on the species, growth conditions, and environmental factors. Despite the significance of iron/sulfur oxidizing species in biomining processes, the knowledge of the interfacial processes between thermoacidophilic archaeal species and mineral surfaces is limited. This study examines the cell surface characteristics and EPS produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> strain. The research was conducted using microscopic techniques, Zeta-potential measurements, spectrophotometric methods, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and fluorescence lectin-binding analysis. The results suggest that non-soluble substrates, such as sulfur or pyrite, induce changes in cell surface structures, including the presence of cell appendages, wider cell envelopes, higher hydrophobicities, and increased EPS production, compared to cells grown with soluble substrates such as tetrathionate or ferrous iron. The EPS mainly consist of proteins and carbohydrates, including glucose, manose, <i>N</i>-acetylgalactosamine, and <i>N</i>-acetylglucosamine residues. This study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between thermophilic archaea and mineral surfaces in biomining processes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/3/310archaeaextracellular polymeric substancescell surfacethermophilesbioleaching |
| spellingShingle | Camila Castro Edgardo R. Donati Mario Vera Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> Species and Their Relevance to Bioleaching Minerals archaea extracellular polymeric substances cell surface thermophiles bioleaching |
| title | Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> Species and Their Relevance to Bioleaching |
| title_full | Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> Species and Their Relevance to Bioleaching |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> Species and Their Relevance to Bioleaching |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> Species and Their Relevance to Bioleaching |
| title_short | Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by an <i>Acidianus</i> Species and Their Relevance to Bioleaching |
| title_sort | characterization of extracellular polymeric substances produced by an i acidianus i species and their relevance to bioleaching |
| topic | archaea extracellular polymeric substances cell surface thermophiles bioleaching |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/3/310 |
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