Gene

Biogenesis

Biofilm

Bacteria

Biology

Bioremediation

Selenium

Biochemistry

Nitrogen

Detoxification (alternative medicine)

Alternative medicine

Genetics

Biogeochemical cycle

Organic chemistry

Environmental chemistry

Enzyme

Sulfur

Medicine

Chemistry

Biotransformation

Nitrogen fixation

Azospirillum brasilense

Selenate

Bioaccumulation

Pathology

Journal of Hazardous Materials

This study combines the interaction between the toxic oxyanions selenite and selenate and the plant growth promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense with a comprehensive characterization of the formed selenium particles. As selenium is an essential trace element, but also toxic in high concentrations, its state of occurrence in nature is of major concern. Growth of the bacterium was affected by selenite (1-5mM) only, observable as a prolonged growth lag-phase of 3days. Subsequently, selenite reduction occurred under aerobic conditions resulting in extracellularly formed insoluble Se0 particles. Complementary studies by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques revealed the particles to be homogeneous and stable Se8-nSn structured spheres with an average size of 400nm and highly negative surface charge of -18mV in the neutral pH range. As this is the first study showing Azospirillum brasilense being able to biotransform selenite to selenium particles containing a certain amount of sulfur, even if environmental waters supplemented with selenite were used, they may significantly contribute to the biogeochemical cycling of both elements in soil as well as to their soil-plant transfer. Therefore, microbial biotransformation of selenite under certain circumstances may be used for various bio-remediation and bio-technological applications.

Biotransformation and detoxification of selenite by microbial biogenesis of selenium-sulfur nanoparticles