Bacillus sp. strain MRS-1: A potential candidate for uranyl biosorption from uranyl polluted sites

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jada Hoyle-Gardner, Emory University; Veera Lakshmi Devi Badisa, Florida A&M University; Shahid Sher, Florida A&M University; Li Runwei, New Mexico State University; Benjamin Mwashote, Florida A&M University; Victor Ibeanusi, Florida A&M University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-11-11
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103873
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 12
• Start Page: 103873
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by the Department of Energy Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) managed by the Savannah River National Laboratory under SRNS contract SOW#G-SOW-A-02188; TOA/PO: NO 0000456319 and Florida A&M University Title III program.
• Keywords: Biomass; Biosorption; Metal resistant; Bacillus bacteria; Uranium; Toxic
• Research Categories: Biology, Microbiology; Environmental Sciences; Health Sciences, Toxicology

Abstract

The uranyl tolerance of a metal-resistant Bacillus sp. strain MRS-1, was determined in this current study. This was done due to a rise in anthropogenic activities, such as the production of uranium-based nuclear energy, which contributes to environmental degradation and poses risks to ecosystems and human health. The purpose of the research was to find effective strategies for uranium removal to minimize the contamination. In this paper, the biosorption of uranyl was investigated by batch tests. Bacteria could continue to multiply up to 350 ppm uranyl concentrations, however this growth was suppressed at 400 ppm, that generally accepted as the minimum concentration for bacterial growth inhibition. The optimal conditions for uranyl biosorption were pH 7, 20 °C, and a contact duration of 30 min with living bacteria. According to the findings of an investigation that used isotherm and kinetics models (Langmuir, Freundlich and pseudo second order), Bacillus sp. strain MRS-1 biosorption seemed to be dependent on monolayer adsorption as well as certain functional groups that had a strong affinity for uranyl confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The shifts/sharping of peaks (1081–3304 cm−1) were prominent in treated samples compared to control one. These functional groups could be hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl. Our findings showed that Bacillus sp. strain MRS-1 has an elevated uranyl biosorption ability, with 24.5 mg/g being achieved. This indicates its potential as a powerful biosorbent for dealing with uranium contamination in drinking water sources and represents a breakthrough in the cleanup of contaminated ecosystems.