Mining Applications of Immobilized Microbial Cells in an Alginate Matrix: An Overview

Abstract

Immobilized microbial cells have been used extensively in various industrial processes. However, immobilized cells have not been used widely for mining industrial applications. Cell immobilization consists of a technique by which microorganisms are confined through physical or chemical interactions in a matrix, or fixed to the surface of the immobilizing agent. In recent years, entrapment of cells within spheres of Ca 2+ alginate has become the most widely used technique for immobilizing living cells. This review examines many of the scientific and technical aspects involved in using Ca 2+ alginate immobilized microbial cells in mining activities, with a particular focus on the biohydrometallurgical industrial applications and processes of soil bioremediation in heavy metal contaminated mining areas, environmental recovery of atmospheric emissions containing H2S and treatment of acid mine drainage.Palabras clave: alginato de Ca 2+ , industria minera, inmovilización celular, recuperación ambiental RESUMEN Las células microbianas inmovilizadas se han utilizado ampliamente en diversos procesos industriales. Sin embargo, no se han usado de manera tan extensa en las aplicaciones para la industria minera. La inmovilización celular consiste en una técnica mediante la cual los microorganismos se confinan a través de interacciones físicas o químicas en una matriz, o se fijan a la superficie del agente inmovilizador. En los últimos años, el atrapamiento de las células dentro de esferas de alginato de Ca 2+ se ha convertido en la técnica más utilizada para inmovilizar las células vivas. Esta revisión examina muchos de los aspectos científicos y técnicos que abarca el uso de células microbianas inmovilizadas con alginato de Ca 2+ en aplicaciones en las actividades mineras, con un enfoque particular en las industriales biohidrometalúrgicas y en los procesos de biorremediación de suelos en áreas mineras contaminadas con metales pesados, recuperación ambiental de emisiones atmosféricas que contienen H2S y tratamiento del drenaje ácido de minas.

Methyl Orange Biodegradation by Immobilized Consortium Microspheres: Experimental Design Approach, Toxicity Study and Bioaugmentation Potential

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Statistical modeling of methylene blue degradation by yeast-bacteria consortium; optimization via agro-industrial waste, immobilization and application in real effluents

“…In addition, natural/ non-synthetic origin of alginate hydrogel contributed in successful degradation process by its low toxicity and biocompatibility traits. Therefore, entrapment in alginate matrix was frequently employed in biotechnological, medical and environmental applications [ 92 ]. Several researches addressed a successful bioremediation of azo dyes by microbial immobilization technique [ 93 – 96 ].…”

Competitive biosorption of rare-earth elements on bacterial biomass: equilibrium and kinetic studies

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