Bioprospecting for and the applications of halophilic acidophiles in bioleaching operations

Melissa K. Corbett; Elizabeth L. J. Watkin

doi:10.1071/ma23011

journal article Open Access Feb 22, 2023

Bioprospecting for and the applications of halophilic acidophiles in bioleaching operations

Melissa K. Corbett Elizabeth L. J. Watkin

Microbiology Australia Vol. 44 No. 1 pp. 45-48 · CSIRO Publishing

View at Publisher Save 10.1071/ma23011

Abstract

The economic recovery of metals from sulfide ores has become a topic of increasing interest due to the escalating demand for critical minerals and the reducing grade of available ores. Bioleaching is the use of acidophilic iron and sulfur-oxidising microorganisms to facilitate the extraction of base metals from primary sulfide ores and tailings. One significant issue limiting the use of bioleaching is the availability of freshwater due to the sensitivity of these microbes to chloride. The use of saline tolerant acidophilic iron- and-sulfur oxidising microorganisms will go a long way to addressing this issue. There are three possible means of sourcing suitable microorganisms; adaptation, genetic engineering and bioprospecting, with bioprospecting showing the greatest possibilities. Bioprospecting in search of native organisms for bioleaching operations has led researchers to numerous locations around the world and the isolation of iron- and sulfur-oxidising acidophiles that are capable of tolerating high levels of salinity has been of particular interest in these investigations.

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Details

Published: Feb 22, 2023
Vol/Issue: 44(1)
Pages: 45-48
License: View

Authors

M

Melissa K. Corbett

ACurtin Medical School, Curtin University, Kent Street, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia.

E

Elizabeth L. J. Watkin

BSchool of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.

Cite This Article

Melissa K. Corbett, Elizabeth L. J. Watkin (2023). Bioprospecting for and the applications of halophilic acidophiles in bioleaching operations. Microbiology Australia, 44(1), 45-48. https://doi.org/10.1071/ma23011

Bioprospecting for and the applications of halophilic acidophiles in bioleaching operations

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