Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Manganese(II) is an essential element required for normal growth and development of humans, animals and plants, however it has a tendency to accumulate in some organisms, what leads to higher,potentially toxic, level within the food chain.Mn2+ sorption properties of Lactococcuslactisvar.lactis, a non-pathogenic bacteriumwidely used in the dairy industry were studied as a function of four growth conditions: Cells werecultivated aerobically and with reduced oxygenat 30�°C and 37�°C. Additionally,biosorption properties of live and autoclaved cells were compared. L. lactis showed very competitive capability to sorb Mn2+ over 5 days and pH drifts in the experimental suspensionsdemonstrated an involvement of ion exchange mechanisms in Mn2+ sorption. Viability of L. lactis during sorption experimentswas studied by serial dilutions and plate count methods with the biggest decrease in a cell numbers observed at 24 and 72 hours contact time. Sorption capacity of live L. lactis cultivated under four different conditions towards Mn(II) ranged 34-50 mg/gdw. Autoclaved biomass showed muchlower sorption capacity (20-39 mg/gdw)but this rangeis among the highest removal capacities towards Mn2+ seen in previous studies using various (non-living) biomasses.The obtained results are the first report showing Mn2+ sorption by viable and autoclaved cells of L. lactis as a function of different growth conditions and metal loadings. It is also among the first work investigating the difference between viable and dead microbial cells.

Biography

Sandra Borkowska-Heurtaux completed her BSc (Hons) and MPhil and is afinal year PhDstudent at Glasgow Caledonian University. Currently, she is working on biosorption of manganese and zinc by Lactococcuslactisvar.lactis, Natrinemapallidum, Hydrodictyonreticulatum and Cladophoraglomerata using microbiology and analytical chemistry methods. Prior to beginning the PhD program, she worked as a Research Associate at Edinburgh Napier University. Her work focused on microbial testing to prove efficacy of advanced disinfectant against Pseudomonasaeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcusaureus, Enterobacter cloacae and Salmonellatyphimurium. Her areas of interest includemicrobiology, biotechnology,genetics and molecular biology.

Email: Sandra.Borkowska-Heurtaux@gcu.ac.uk