Role of B. Licheniformis in bio mineralization of calcium carbonate and its biological applications

Abstract

Bio mineralization is a significant process carried out by living organisms in which minerals are produced through the hardening of biological tissues. Herein, the current study focus on calcium carbonate precipitation, as part of bio mineralization, to be used in applications for CO2 sequestration, material technology, and other fields. A strain B. licheniformis, isolated from marine water, was investigated for its ability to produce urease and induce calcium carbonate precipitation in a metabolic process. It was discovered that B. licheniformis, resisted high concentrations of urea up to 60 g/L. In order to optimize the calcification process of B. licheniformis, the Calcium carbonate precipitation media is used respectively, pH of 10, and culture time of 96 h. Using X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis, the calcium carbonate polymorphs produced by B. licheniformis, were proven to be mainly calcite. The results of this research provide evidence that B. licheniformis can biologically induce calcification and suggest that B. licheniformis may play a potential role in the synthesis of new bio minerals and in bioremediation or bio recovery.