Abstract
Adsorption of microorganisms and/or their different components onto a mineral surface would modify the surface characteristics of the mineral. Thus, this investigation evaluated the adsorption capacity of the Rhodococcus opacus strain onto an apatite surface. Zeta potential and contact angle measurements of the mineral showed dislocations of the values after interaction with the microorganism. The maximum adsorption density reached was 24.10 mg of bacterial cells per gram of mineral using a biomass concentration of 400 mg/L. The experimental data were linearly fitted by the Freundlich model and the adsorption density as a function of time was linearly fitted by the pseudo-second order kinetic equation. The results showed that the bacterial strain has affinity for the apatite surface and ability to make it hydrophobic.
Highlights
Phosphorus is an essential element in the life of all living beings
To obtain a better understanding of the promoted apatite bioflotation, the present study develops the basic principles of adhesion of the Rhodococcus opacus strain to an apatite surface
According to the results achieved in this study, the electrostatic interaction can be a trifling one between bacteria and surface apatite, which may suggest the predominance of a kind of specific adsorption between the different functional groups present in the cell wall and the apatite surface (Yang et al, 2013, 2014)
Summary
Phosphorus is an essential element in the life of all living beings. In nature, phosphorus is used with other elements forming phosphates, which have different chemical and mineralogical characteristics, depending on the type of phosphoric rock deposit. Given the growing demand for the exploration of low-content phosphate deposits, the rigorous specifications of flotation concentrates, strict environmental laws and the need to reduce operational costs, encouraged several investigations with a view to finding better processing techniques and greater effectiveness of reagents in the selective separation of phosphate minerals. In this context, mineral biotechnology may be an attractive process, due to its ability for selective adhesion of microorganisms and their interactions with different mineral surfaces, low operating costs and lower environmental impact (Mesquita et al, 2003). To obtain a better understanding of the promoted apatite bioflotation, the present study develops the basic principles of adhesion of the Rhodococcus opacus strain to an apatite surface
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