Premium
Isolation and characterization of Ferroplasma thermophilum sp. nov., a novel extremely acidophilic, moderately thermophilic archaeon and its role in bioleaching of chalcopyrite
Author(s) -
Zhou H.,
Zhang R.,
Hu P.,
Zeng W.,
Xie Y.,
Wu C.,
Qiu G.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2008.03807.x
Subject(s) - bioleaching , chalcopyrite , thermophile , acidithiobacillus , mesophile , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , bacteria , acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans , copper , organic chemistry , genetics
Aims: To isolate Ferroplasma thermophilum L1 T from a low pH environment and to understand its role in bioleaching of chalcopyrite. Methods and Results: Using serial dilution method, a moderately thermophilic and acidophilic ferrous iron‐oxidizing archaeon, named L1 T , was isolated from a chalcopyrite‐leaching bioreactor. The morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics of strain L1 T and its role in bioleaching of chalcopyrite were studied. Strain L1 T was a nonmotile coccus that lacked cell wall. Strain L1 T had a temperature optimum of 45°C and the optimum pH for growth was 1·0. Strain L1 T was capable of chemomixotrophic growth on ferrous iron and yeast extract. Results of fatty acid analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization, G+C content, and analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain L1 T should be grouped in the genus Ferroplasma , and represented a new species, Ferroplasma thermophilum . Ferroplasma thermophilum in combination with Acidithiobacillus caldus and Leptospirillum ferriphilum could improve the copper dissolution in bioleaching of chalcopyrite. Conclusions: A novel extremely acidophilic, moderately thermophilic archaeon isolated from a bioleaching reactor has been identified as F. thermophilum that played an important role in bioleaching of chalcopyrite at low pH. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study contributes to understand the characteristics of F. thermophilum L1 T and its role in bioleaching of sulfide ores.