Characterization of Three Antifungal Calcite-Forming Bacteria, Arthrobacter nicotianae KNUC2100, Bacillus thuringiensis KNUC2103, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia KNUC2106, Derived from the Korean Islands, Dokdo and Their Application on Mortar

Abstract

Crack remediation on the surface of cement mortar using microbiological calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation (MICP) has been investigated as a microbial sealing agent on construction materials. However, MICP research has never acknowledged the antifungal properties of calcite-forming bacteria (CFB). Since fungal colonization on concrete surfaces can trigger biodeterioration processes, fungi on concrete buildings have to be prevented. Therefore, to develop a microbial sealing agent that has antifungal properties to remediate cement cracks without deteriorative fungal colonization, we introduced an antifungal CFB isolated from oceanic islands (Dokdo islands, territory of South Korea, located at the edge of the East Sea in Korea.). The isolation of CFB was done using B4 or urea-CaCl2 media. Furthermore, antifungal assays were done using the pairing culture and disk diffusion methods. Five isolated CFB showed CaCO3 precipitation and antifungal activities against deteriorative fungal strains. Subsequently, five candidate bacteria were identified using 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Crack remediation, fungi growth inhibition, and water permeability reduction of antifungal CFB-treated cement surfaces were tested. All antifungal CFB showed crack remediation abilities, but only three strains (KNUC2100, 2103, and 2106) reduced the water permeability. Furthermore, these three strains showed fungi growth inhibition. This paper is the first application research of CFB that have antifungal activity, for an eco-friendly improvement of construction materials.