Biomaterial Database

Interaction of uranium with a filamentous, heterocystous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium, Anabaena torulosa. 2012

C Acharya, and P Chandwadkar, and S K Apte

Molecular Biology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India.

The filamentous, heterocystous, diazotrophic cyanobacterium, Anabaena torulosa was found to bind uranium from aqueous solutions containing 100 μM uranyl carbonate at pH 7.8. The uranyl sequestration kinetics exhibited (a) an initial rapid phase, binding 48% uranium within 30 min resulting in a loading of 56 mg U g(-1) of dry wt, followed by (b) a slower phase, binding 65% uranium with resultant loading of 77.35 mg U g(-1) in 24h. Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy of uranium loaded biomass revealed all components of UL X-rays (UL(l), UL(α), UL(β1) and UL(β2)). Heat killed cells or extracellular polysaccharides derived from live cells exhibited limited uranyl binding (~26%) highlighting the importance of cell viability for optimum uranyl binding. The present study revealed the involvement of acid soluble polyphosphates in uranium accumulation by this brackish water cyanobacterium.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009586	Nitrogen Fixation	The process in certain BACTERIA; FUNGI; and CYANOBACTERIA converting free atmospheric NITROGEN to biologically usable forms of nitrogen, such as AMMONIA; NITRATES; and amino compounds.	Diazotrophy,Diazotrophic Activity,Dinitrogen Fixation,N2 Fixation,Activities, Diazotrophic,Activity, Diazotrophic,Diazotrophic Activities,Fixation, Dinitrogen,Fixation, N2,Fixation, Nitrogen
D011122	Polyphosphates	Linear polymers in which orthophosphate residues are linked with energy-rich phosphoanhydride bonds. They are found in plants, animals, and microorganisms.	Polyphosphate
D006358	Hot Temperature	Presence of warmth or heat or a temperature notably higher than an accustomed norm.	Heat,Hot Temperatures,Temperature, Hot,Temperatures, Hot
D000143	Acids	Chemical compounds which yield hydrogen ions or protons when dissolved in water, whose hydrogen can be replaced by metals or basic radicals, or which react with bases to form salts and water (neutralization). An extension of the term includes substances dissolved in media other than water. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Acid
D001673	Biodegradation, Environmental	Elimination of ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS; PESTICIDES and other waste using living organisms, usually involving intervention of environmental or sanitation engineers.	Bioremediation,Phytoremediation,Natural Attenuation, Pollution,Environmental Biodegradation,Pollution Natural Attenuation
D012995	Solubility	The ability of a substance to be dissolved, i.e. to form a solution with another substance. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed)	Solubilities
D014501	Uranium	A radioactive element of the actinide series of metals. It has an atomic symbol U, atomic number 92, and atomic weight 238.03. U-235 is used as the fissionable fuel in nuclear weapons and as fuel in nuclear power reactors.
D017033	Anabaena	A genus of CYANOBACTERIA consisting of trichomes that are untapered with conspicuous constrictions at cross-walls. A firm individual sheath is absent, but a soft covering is often present. Many species are known worldwide as major components of freshwater PLANKTON and also of many saline lakes. The species DOLICHOSPERMUM FLOS-AQUAE is responsible for acute poisonings of various animals.
D050296	Microbial Viability	Ability of a microbe to survive under given conditions. This can also be related to a colony's ability to replicate.	Bacterial Viability,Virus Viability,Bacteria Viability,Microbial Inactivation,Inactivation, Microbial,Viability, Bacteria,Viability, Bacterial,Viability, Microbial,Viability, Virus