Importance of Extracellular Polymeric Substances fromThiobacillus ferrooxidansfor Bioleaching

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.64.7.2743-2747.1998
• Publication Date: 2019-12-19T19:38:27Z
• Authors: Tilman Gehrke; Judit Telegdi; Dominique Thierry; Wolfgang Sand
• Keywords: Extracellular polymeric substance; Exopolymer; Thiobacillus ferrooxidans; Thiobacillus

Leaching bacteria such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans attach to pyrite or sulfur by means of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) (lipopolysaccharides). The primary attachment at pH 2 is mediated exopolymer-complexed iron(III) ions in an electrochemical interaction with the negatively charged surface. EPS from cells possess increased hydrophobic properties and do not pyrite, indicating adaptability substrate substratum.