Biogenic ferroxides derived from Leptothrix bacteria for applications in electronics, biomedicine and biotechnology

Abstract

The present work is focused on studying by-products derived from the metabolism of bacteria of the Leptothrix genus, which are among the first described microorganisms associated with the iron cycle in nature. The products of their metabolism are nanostructured biogenic iron oxides in the form of precipitating powders and sheath structures. The sheath structures can be considered as an organic matrix in which inorganic crystallites are discretely dispersed. We used X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to characterize biogenic products formed in a silicon iron glucose peptone medium under laboratory conditions. The studies showed a lack of significant differences between the naturally obtained and the artificially synthesized biogenic sheaths, i.e., an adequate laboratory technological process had been developed. From the point of view of nanoelectronics application, these biogenic by-products are unique because they are biocompatible, have specific electromagnetic properties and are potential candidates for various applications in biomedicine and electronics.