Visualization of capsular polysaccharide induction in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) are of fundamental importance for attachment to metal sulfides, biofilm formation and leaching efficiency of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. In this work we have visualized the capsular polysaccharides (CPS) of A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 using the fluorescently-labeled lectin Concanavalin A (ConA) and...

Some quantitative data on bacterial attachment to pyrite

Bacterial attachment and biofilm formation are important for microbial bioleaching of metal sulfides, however, many details of the role played by bacteria are still unknown. Attachment as the first step in biofilm formation is critical. Our investigations are focused on these processes to control bacterial bioleaching processes. In moderately...

Mars-relevant microorganisms in simulated subsurface environments under hydration/dehydration conditions

Mechanisms of bioleaching and the visualization of these by combined AFM & EFM

The understanding of mechanisms, by which microorganisms are effecting the dissolution of metal sulfides, what in general is called bioleaching, has progressed largely during the last 15 years. Whereas in the beginning of the nineties of the last century the direct and the indirect mechanisms were state of the knowledge, nowadays it is generally...