Direct current stimulation of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans bacterial metabolism in a bioelectrical reactor without cation-specific membrane.
A bioelectrical reactor without cation-specific membrane was designed to test effects of direct electrical current on growth of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans bacterium. The results indicated that the cell significantly enhanced the growth of T. ferrooxidans. At a current of 30 mA, the maximum cells density reached 1.39 x 10(9)cells/mL within 84 h, which was 10 times faster than under a conventional cultivation method, in which electrical current is not used. A lag phase during the growth of T. ferrooxidans was observed when direct electrical current was applied, and the lag phase became longer under higher current intensity.
Li
Xin
X
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China. hgxlixin@yahoo.com.cn
Liu
Yunguo
Y
Zeng
Guangming
G
Niu
Yile
Y
Xiao
Xin
X
Xu
Weihua
W
Xia
Wenbing
W
Zhu
Yun
Y
Liu
Jiadong
J
D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013855:Thiobacillus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*