Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) and Its Potential in Bioconcrete: Microbiological and Molecular Concepts

María José Castro-Alonso,Rajeswari Narayanasamy,Mariel Rubi Macias Franco,Maria Alejandra Sanchez-Muñoz,Lilia Ernestina Montañez-Hernandez,Nagamani Balagurusamy

doi:10.3389/fmats.2019.00126

Abstract

In this review, microbiological and molecular concepts of Microbially induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) and their role in bioconcrete are discussed. MICP is a widespread biochemical process in soils, caves, freshwater, marine sediments and hypersaline habitats. MICP is an outcome of metabolic interactions between diverse microbial communities with organic and/or inorganic compounds present in environment. Some of the major metabolic processes involved in MICP at different levels are urea hydrolysis, denitrification, dissimilatory sulfate reduction and photosynthesis. Currently, MICP directed by urea hydrolysis, denitrification and dissimilatory sulfate reduction has been reported to aid in development of bioconcrete and demonstrated improvement in mechanical and structural properties of concrete. Bioconcrete is a promising sustainable technology in reducing the negative environmental impacts due to CO2 emission from construction sector and as well as in terms of economic benefits by way of promoting self-healing process of the concrete structures. Among the metabolic processes mentioned above, urea hydrolysis is the most applied in concrete repair mechanisms. MICP by urea hydrolysis is induced by a series of reactions driven by urease (Ur) and carbonic anhydrase (CA). Catalytic activity of these two enzymes depends on diverse parameters, which are currently being studied under laboratory conditions to understand the biochemical mechanisms involved and their regulation in microorganisms. It is clearly evident that microbiological and molecular components are essential to improve the process and performance of bioconcrete.

Highlights

Concrete is the most used construction material due to its resistance, durability and low cost in comparison to other construction materials
Survival of bacterial cells in bioconcrete depends on the regulation of genetic factors and associated activities of urease and carbonic anhydrase
While great strides have been made on the influence of different factors, such as; type of bacteria, nutrient conditions, enzymes, concentration of calcium, etc., on Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP), there are very few studies on monitoring the survival and activity of the bacterial cells in bioconcrete

Summary

Introduction

Concrete is the most used construction material due to its resistance, durability and low cost in comparison to other construction materials. Xu et al (2019) reported the calcite and aragonite precipitation through virus induced lysis of cyanobacteria cells and suggested that this new mechanism is expanding the calcium carbonate biomineralization process.

Results

Conclusion