Hydrometallurgical and other conventional mining technologies on low grade ores require high energy and capital costs. The use of microbes to degrade such type of minerals is gaining acceptance. This study was carried out, therefore to isolate, identify and characterize iron solubilizing bacteria from Iron stones of Agbaja iron ore mining site of Kogi State. Crushed samples in the range of 0.25µm and 0.75µm particle size were used for the isolation. They were cultured in a modified 9k media to facilitate bacterial growth and pure cultures were then isolated and sub-cultured for further identification. Morphological and biochemical analysis suggests that some of the bacteria identified are members of Acidithiobacillus, Pseudomonas, and Leptospirillum species. Also results of growth pattern due to bacteria count obtained after 24hours, 48hours and 72hours of incubation ranged between 0.1×10 3 cfu/ml and 12.3 ×10 3 cfu/ml. The highest count of 12.3 ×10 3 cfu/ ml was obtained in Pit 4 at 72hours. At 24hours there was no visible count in Pit 5 and 4, while at 48hours pit 4 was 1×10 3 and pit 5 was 2.6×10 3 and finally at 72hours pit 4 and 5 was 12.3×10 3 and 4.3×10 3 respectively, incubation time, and temperature, further confirms that these isolated species are mesophilicacidophiles with good bioleaching properties.

Phytic acid (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate) is the main storage form of phosphorus (P) in plants and accounts for more than 80 % of the total P in cereals. It is one of the sources of energy and an important mineral chelating compound in plants. However, it is a major anti-nutritional factor for human beings especially to individuals consuming large quantities of cereals like rice, finger millet and wheat. The anti-nutritional properties of phytates are known to be reduced through dephosphorylating process by means of enzyme, 'phytase' of microbial origin. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of microbial phytase in improving the utilization and absorption of nutrients from phytate. Reduced level of phytate in foods is known to enhance the bioavailability of minerals and other associated nutrients needed for human health. Phytase is getting prime importance in processing and manufacturing industries that supply feeds for birds and non-ruminant animals. It can be a good substitute for inorganic phosphorus (Pi) supplements in poultry and animal feed, which otherwise can cause environmental pollution. Research has been conducted to prove antinutritional nature of phytic acid along with an effort to reduce its content in foods consumed. This review briefly narrates the study related to properties of phytate, application phytate solubilizing microorganisms and enzyme 'phytase' obtained from them.