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Corbett MK, Gifford A, Fimognari N, Watkin ELJ. Analysis of element yield, bacterial community structure and the impact of carbon sources for bioleaching rare earth elements from high grade monazite. Res Microbiol 2024; 175:104133. [PMID: 37683878 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2023.104133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Rare earth element (REE) recovery from waste streams, mine tailings or recyclable components using bioleaching is gaining traction due to the shortage and security of REE supply as well as the environmental problems that occur from processing and refining. Four heterotrophic microbial species with known phosphate solubilizing capabilities were evaluated for their ability to leach REE from a high-grade monazite when provided with either galactose, fructose or maltose. Supplying fructose resulted in the greatest amount of REE leached from the ore due to the largest amount of organic acid produced. Gluconic acid was the dominant organic acid identified produced by the cultures, followed by acetic acid. The monazite proved difficult to leach with the different carbon sources, with preferential release of Ce over La, Nd and Pr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa K Corbett
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University GPO Box U1987, Perth, Australia.
| | - April Gifford
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University GPO Box U1987, Perth, Australia.
| | - Nick Fimognari
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth L J Watkin
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University GPO Box U1987, Perth, Australia; School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Australia.
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van Alin A, Corbett MK, Fathollahzadeh H, Tjiam MC, Rickard WDA, Sun X, Putnis A, Eksteen J, Kaksonen AH, Watkin E. Biofilm formation on the surface of monazite and xenotime during bioleaching. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1790-1802. [PMID: 37291762 PMCID: PMC10443343 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial attachment and biofilm formation is a ubiquitous behaviour of microorganisms and is the most crucial prerequisite of contact bioleaching. Monazite and xenotime are two commercially exploitable minerals containing rare earth elements (REEs). Bioleaching using phosphate solubilizing microorganisms is a green biotechnological approach for the extraction of REEs. In this study, microbial attachment and biofilm formation of Klebsiella aerogenes ATCC 13048 on the surface of these minerals were investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In a batch culture system, K. aerogenes was able to attach and form biofilms on the surface of three phosphate minerals. The microscopy records showed three distinctive stages of biofilm development for K. aerogenes commencing with initial attachment to the surface occurring in the first minutes of microbial inoculation. This was followed by colonization of the surface and formation of a mature biofilm as the second distinguishable stage, with progression to dispersion as the final stage. The biofilm had a thin-layer structure. The colonization and biofilm formation were localized toward physical surface imperfections such as cracks, pits, grooves and dents. In comparison to monazite and xenotime crystals, a higher proportion of the surface of the high-grade monazite ore was covered by biofilm which could be due to its higher surface roughness. No selective attachment or colonization toward specific mineralogy or chemical composition of the minerals was detected. Finally, in contrast to abiotic leaching of control samples, microbial activity resulted in extensive microbial erosion on the high-grade monazite ore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya van Alin
- Curtin Medical SchoolCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Melissa K. Corbett
- Curtin Medical SchoolCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Homayoun Fathollahzadeh
- Curtin Medical SchoolCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - M. Christian Tjiam
- Curtin Medical SchoolCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious DiseasesTelethon Kids InstituteNedlandsWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Centre for Child Health ResearchThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | | | - Xiao Sun
- John de Laeter CentreCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Andrew Putnis
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- Institut für MineralogieUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Jacques Eksteen
- WA School of Mines, Minerals, Energy and Chemical EngineeringCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Anna H. Kaksonen
- WA School of Mines, Minerals, Energy and Chemical EngineeringCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- CSIRO EnvironmentPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Elizabeth Watkin
- Curtin Medical SchoolCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of ScienceEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupWestern AustraliaAustralia
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Van Alin A, Corbett MK, Fathollahzadeh H, Tjiam MC, Putnis A, Eksteen J, Kaksonen AH, Watkin E. Klebsiella aerogenes Adhesion Behaviour during Biofilm Formation on Monazite. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1331. [PMID: 37317305 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11051331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The adsorption behaviour of micro-organisms during the initial attachment stage of biofilm formation affects subsequent stages. The available area for attachment and the chemophysical properties of a surface affect microbial attachment performance. This study focused on the initial attachment behaviour of Klebsiella aerogenes on monazite by measuring the ratio of planktonic against sessile subpopulations (P:S ratio), and the potential role of extracellular DNA (eDNA). eDNA production, effects of physicochemical properties of the surface, particle size, total available area for attachment, and the initial inoculation size on the attachment behaviour were tested. K. aerogenes attached to monazite immediately after exposure to the ore; however, the P:S ratio significantly (p = 0.05) changed in response to the particle size, available area, and inoculation size. Attachment occurred preferentially on larger-sized (~50 µm) particles, and either decreasing the inoculation size or increasing the available area further promoted attachment. Nevertheless, a portion of the inoculated cells always remained in a planktonic state. K. aerogenes produced lower eDNA in response to the changed surface chemical properties when monazite was replaced by xenotime. Using pure eDNA to cover the monazite surface significantly (p ≤ 0.05) hindered bacterial attachment due to the repulsive interaction between the eDNA layer and bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Van Alin
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Melissa K Corbett
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Homayoun Fathollahzadeh
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - M Christian Tjiam
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Andrew Putnis
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- Institut für Mineralogie, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Jacques Eksteen
- WA School of Mines, Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Waterford, WA 6152, Australia
| | - Anna H Kaksonen
- WA School of Mines, Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Waterford, WA 6152, Australia
- CSIRO Environment, Floreat, WA 6014, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Watkin
- Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- The Institute for Geoscience Research, School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
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Corbett MK, Watkin ELJ. Bioprospecting for and the applications of halophilic acidophiles in bioleaching operations. Microbiol Aust 2023. [DOI: 10.1071/ma23011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
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Corbett MK, Eksteen JJ, Niu XZ, Watkin ELJ. Syntrophic effect of indigenous and inoculated microorganisms in the leaching of rare earth elements from Western Australian monazite. Res Microbiol 2018; 169:558-568. [PMID: 29852218 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The unique physiochemical properties exhibited by rare earth elements (REEs) and their increasing application in high-tech industries has created a demand for secure supply lines with established recovery procedures that create minimal environmental damage. Bioleaching experiments conducted on a non-sterile monazite concentrate with a known phosphate solubilising microorganism (PSM) resulted in greater mobilisation of REEs into solution in comparison to experiments conducted on sterile monazite. By combining the native consortia with an introduced PSM, a syntrophic effect between the populations effectively leached a greater amount of REEs than either a single PSM or the indigenous population alone. With sterile monazite, Penicillium sp.CF1 inoculated experiments released a total REE concentration of 12.32 mg L-1 after incubation for 8 days, whereas on non-sterile ore, double the soluble REE concentration was recorded (23.7 mg L-1). Comparable effects were recorded with Enterobacter aerogenes, Pantoea agglomerans and Pseudomonas putida. Alterations in the microbial populations during bioleaching of the monazite ore were determined by diversity profiling and demonstrated noticeable changes in community inhabitants over 14 days. The presence of native Firmicutes on the monazite appears to greatly contribute to the increased leaching recorded when using non-sterile monazite for REE recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa K Corbett
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, CHIRI Biosciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
| | - Jacques J Eksteen
- Western Australian School of Mines, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
| | - Xi-Zhi Niu
- Curtin Water Quality Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
| | - Elizabeth L J Watkin
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, CHIRI Biosciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.
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Abstract
Whilst bioleaching is primarily used to recover minerals from low-grade ores, the increasing demand for Rare Earth elements combined with supply chain concerns is opening up new avenues of extraction from mine tailings, waste products and recyclable materials. Exploration of new, novel and economically viable techniques are required to manage the coming shortage and volatility of global markets with more environmentally sound alternatives to traditional mining operations holding the key.
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Khaleque HN, Corbett MK, Ramsay JP, Kaksonen AH, Boxall NJ, Watkin ELJ. Complete genome sequence of Acidihalobacter prosperus strain F5, an extremely acidophilic, iron- and sulfur-oxidizing halophile with potential industrial applicability in saline water bioleaching of chalcopyrite. J Biotechnol 2017; 262:56-59. [PMID: 28986293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Himel N Khaleque
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia; CSIRO Land and Water, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA 6014, Australia
| | - Melissa K Corbett
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Joshua P Ramsay
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Anna H Kaksonen
- CSIRO Land and Water, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA 6014, Australia
| | - Naomi J Boxall
- CSIRO Land and Water, 147 Underwood Avenue, Floreat, WA 6014, Australia
| | - Elizabeth L J Watkin
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
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Watling HR, Collinson DM, Corbett MK, Shiers DW, Kaksonen AH, Watkin EL. Saline-water bioleaching of chalcopyrite with thermophilic, iron(II)- and sulfur-oxidizing microorganisms. Res Microbiol 2016; 167:546-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Hunt J, Keeble AH, Dale RE, Corbett MK, Beavil RL, Levitt J, Swann MJ, Suhling K, Ameer-Beg S, Sutton BJ, Beavil AJ. A fluorescent biosensor reveals conformational changes in human immunoglobulin E Fc: implications for mechanisms of receptor binding, inhibition, and allergen recognition. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:17459-17470. [PMID: 22442150 PMCID: PMC3366799 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.331967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Revised: 03/08/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
IgE binding to its high affinity receptor FcεRI on mast cells and basophils is a key step in the mechanism of allergic disease and a target for therapeutic intervention. Early indications that IgE adopts a bent structure in solution have been confirmed by recent x-ray crystallographic studies of IgEFc, which further showed that the bend, contrary to expectation, is enhanced in the crystal structure of the complex with receptor. To investigate the structure of IgEFc and its conformational changes that accompany receptor binding in solution, we created a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor using biologically encoded fluorescent proteins fused to the N- and C-terminal IgEFc domains (Cε2 and Cε4, respectively) together with the theoretical basis for quantitating its behavior. This revealed not only that the IgEFc exists in a bent conformation in solution but also that the bend is indeed enhanced upon FcεRI binding. No change in the degree of bending was seen upon binding to the B cell receptor for IgE, CD23 (FcεRII), but in contrast, binding of the anti-IgE therapeutic antibody omalizumab decreases the extent of the bend, implying a conformational change that opposes FcεRI engagement. HomoFRET measurements further revealed that the (Cε2)(2) and (Cε4)(2) domain pairs behave as rigid units flanking the conformational change in the Cε3 domains. Finally, modeling of the accessible conformations of the two Fab arms in FcεRI-bound IgE revealed a mutual exclusion not seen in IgG and Fab orientations relative to the membrane that may predispose receptor-bound IgE to cross-linking by allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Hunt
- MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL; The Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL; The Division of Asthma Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL
| | - Anthony H Keeble
- MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL; The Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL; The Division of Asthma Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL
| | - Robert E Dale
- The Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL
| | - Melissa K Corbett
- The Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL
| | - Rebecca L Beavil
- MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL; The Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL; The Division of Asthma Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL
| | - James Levitt
- The Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS
| | - Marcus J Swann
- Farfield Group Limited, Voyager, Chicago Avenue, Manchester Airport, Manchester, M90 3DQ, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Suhling
- The Department of Physics, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS
| | - Simon Ameer-Beg
- The Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL
| | - Brian J Sutton
- MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL; The Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL
| | - Andrew J Beavil
- MRC and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL; The Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL; The Division of Asthma Allergy and Lung Biology, King's College London, Guy's Hospital Campus, London SE1 1UL.
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