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Paramagnetism in Bacillus spores: Opportunities for novel biotechnological applications
Author(s) -
Xu Zhou Ke,
Ionescu Adrian,
Wan Eamon,
Ho Yeuk N.,
Barnes Crispin H.W.,
Christie Graham,
Wilson D. Ian
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.26501
Subject(s) - spore , bacillus megaterium , bacillus subtilis , manganese , bacillus cereus , bacillus (shape) , adsorption , endospore , chemistry , paramagnetism , metal ions in aqueous solution , metal , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , organic chemistry , physics , genetics , quantum mechanics
Spores of Bacillus megaterium , Bacillus cereus , and Bacillus subtilis were found to exhibit intrinsic paramagnetic properties as a result of the accumulation of manganese ions. All three Bacillus species displayed strong yet distinctive magnetic properties arising from differences in manganese quantity and valency. Manganese ions were found to accumulate both within the spore core as well as being associated with the surface of the spore. Bacillus megaterium spores accumulated up to 1 wt.% manganese (II) within, with a further 0.6 wt.% adsorbed onto the surface. At room temperature, Bacillus spores possess average magnetic susceptibilities in the range of 10 −6 to 10 −5 . Three spore‐related biotechnological applications—magnetic sensing, magnetic separation and metal ion adsorption—were assessed subsequently, with the latter two considered as having the most potential for development.