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

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 (1–5 mM) only, observable as a prolonged...