The objective of this study is to investigate the efficiency of calcium carbonate bioprecipitation by Lysinibacillus sphaericus, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas putida, obtained from the Coleção de Culturas do Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde (INCQS), as a first step in determining their potential to protect building materials against water uptake. Two culture media were studied: modified B4 containing calcium acetate and 295 with calcium chloride. Calcium consumption in the two media after incubation with and without the bacterial inoculum was determined by atomic absorption analysis. Modified B4 gave the best results and in this medium Pseudomonas putida INQCS 113 produced the highest calcium carbonate precipitation, followed by Lysinibacillus sphaericus INQCS 414; the lowest precipitation was produced by Bacillus subtilis INQCS 328. In this culture medium XRD analysis showed that Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus subtilis precipitated calcite and vaterite polymorphs while Lysinibacillus sphaericus produced only vaterite. The shape and size of the crystals were affected by culture medium, bacterial strain and culture conditions, static or shaken. In conclusion, of the three strains Pseudomonas putida INQCS 113 in modified B4 medium gave the best results precipitating 96% of the calcium, this strain thus has good potential for use on building materials.

Deteriorated limestone from Mayan buildings in Yucatan, Mexico, was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microprobe with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Changes in surface chemical composition, caused by the biofilm layer and the conversion of calcite into gypsum, were demonstrated. Representative fungi include Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Paecilomyces. Strains of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp., were selected for their ability to produce acidic metabolites. Both fungi excreted organic acids when incubated; ion exchange chromatography identified these acids as gluconic, succcinic-malic (coeluted) and oxalic. A. niger, the most active acid producer, also excreted citric acid. When grown in the presence of limestone coupons, calcium release from the mineral matrix paralleled the production of oxalic acid. However free calcium was considerably lower in filtrates from limestone coupon-containing culture, suggesting its complexation. SEM and EDAX confirmed that calcium oxalate crystals developed on the surface of the stone coupons. The results show that organic-acid-producing fungi may contribute to the deterioration of limestone monuments.

La roca caliza deteriorada de monumentos mayas de Yucatán, México, fue analizada por medio de microscopia electrónica de barrido acoplada con análisis por rayos X retrodispersados (SEM-EDAX), difracción de rayos X (XRD) y espectroscopia infrarojo transformada de Fourier (FT-IR). Los cambios en la composición química de la superficie causadas por la biopelícula con la consecuente conversión de calcita a yeso, fueron demostrados. Los géneros más abundantes fueron Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium y Paecilomyces. Cepas de Aspergillus niger y Penicillium sp., fueron seleccionadas por su capacidad de producir metabolitos ácidos. Ambos hongos excretaron ácidos orgánicos cuando fueron incubados (glucónico, succínico, málico y oxálico). A. niger fue el productor más activo y también excreto ácido cítrico. El impacto del hongo sobre los cupones liberó calcio de la matriz mineral asociado a la producción de acido oxálico. Sin embargo, el calcio soluble fue considerablemente bajo en los filtrados de cultivos que contenían los cupones de piedra, sugiriendo quelación. El análisis de SEM-EDAX confirmó el papel biodeteriorante de los ácidos micogénicos.

O tratamento de partículas finas dispersas em líquidos é comum em diversas indústrias e especialmente importante no processamento de minérios. A eficiência de operações de sedimentação pode ser substancialmente aumentada com a floculação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a floculação de partículas de fluorita com a bactéria Corynebacterium xerosis. A metodologia empregada para avaliar a floculação incluiu experimentos de floculação, microeletroforese e microscopia ótica. Os resultados demonstraram que as células da Corynebacterium xerosis se aderem na superfície da fluorita, promovendo a agregação das partículas. Flocos de alta qualidade podem ser obtidos rapidamente em pH 7,0 a uma concentração de microrganismos de 40 mg/l, dosagem esta consideravelmente menor do que aquelas previamente relatadas na literatura. Os resultados são discutidos em termos das propriedades superficiais do mineral e do microrganismo.

The treatment of fine particles dispersed in liquids is common in several industries and especially important in mineral processing. The efficiency of settling operations can be substantially increased by flocculation. The aim of this work was to study the flocculation of fine fluorite particles by the bacterium Corynebacterium xerosis. Flocculation tests, microelectrophoresis measurements and optical microscopy were used to evaluate flocculation. The results showed that C. xerosis cells adhere to the fluorite surfaces promoting the aggregation of the particles. High quality flocs can be obtained rapidly at pH 7.0 using a cell concentration of 40 mg/l, considerably lower than previously reported in the literature. The results are discussed with reference to the surface characteristics of the mineral and of the microorganism.

Algas e cianobactérias produzem coloração nas superfícies externas de construções e podem causar a sua deterioração físico-química. Apesar a clima úmida do Brasil, não existe no pais uma literatura sobre este problema. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar os microrganismos fototróficos mais importantes nas superfícies de construções, em áreas residenciais, urbanas e rurais do Brasil. Foram avaliados os tipos de algas e cianobactérias presentes em superfícies pintadas coloradas, em nove municípios do Brasil localizados entre 19° Sul e 30° Sul. Aproximadamente 63% destes foram células simples, ou organismos coloniais. O gênero, Synechocystis, foi o organismo que mostrou-se o mais diverso e, frequentemente, compõe a maior parte da biomassa, foi detectado em 63,4% das amostras. Outros organismos frequentemente detectados foram os gêneros Oscillatoria e Chlorella. Este último se destacou como o organismo de maior ocorrência (72,4%). As cianobactérias foram muito comuns, especialmente em locais urbanos, sendo que, nestas amostras, maior que 62% dos organismos detectados pertenceu a este classe. Organismos fototróficos filamentosos foram detectados em menor número do que os não filamentosos em todas as amostras.

Algae and cyanobacteria disfigure the external surfaces of buildings and may cause their physico-chemical deterioration. Even though the climate in Brazil is humid, there is no published literature on this problem. The objective of this work was to identify the major phototrophs present on Brazilian constructions in residential, urban and rural sites. The algal and cyanobacterial types present on discolored surfaces of painted buildings in nine different municipalities in Brazil, all lying between latitudes 19° South and 30° South, were examined. A total of 816 different organisms was detected in 58 sites. Approximately 63% were single-celled or colonial organisms. The cyanobacterial genus, Synechocystis, was the most biodiverse and frequently comprised the major biomass. It was present in 63.4% of sites. Second and third most frequently detected were Oscillatoria and the algal genus, Chlorella, respectively. The latter organism showed the most widespread occurrence (72.4%). Cyanobacteria were the most important colonizers, especially at urban sites, where over 62% of the organisms detected belonged to this class. Filamentous phototrophs were found in smaller numbers than non-filamentous at all locations.

Processos de biocorrosão na superfície de metais são associados com microrganismos ou com os seus produtos metabólicos, tais como: enzimas, exopolímeros, ácidos orgânicos e inorgânicos, e compostos voláteis como amônio ou sulfeto de hidrogênio. Todos estes produtos podem afetar reações catódicas e/ou anódicas, alterando processos eletroquímicos na interface biofilme/metal. Esta revisão discute diversos mecanismos de biocorrosão causados pelos diferentes atividades fisiológicas associadas com microrganismos e os conhecimentos mais recentes. Estudos modernos da corrosão microbiologicamente influenciada focalizam problemas em ligas de ferro e de cobre. Microrganismos especialmente enfocados são as bactérias redutoras de sulfato e bactérias que depositam metais, destacando aquelas que depositam manganês. A importância de consórcios microbianos e o papel de substâncias poliméricas extracelulares na biocorrosão são enfatizados nesta revisão. Considera-se a contribuição de técnicas analíticas modernas, tais como microscopia de força atómica, espectroscopia Auger, espectroscopia de raio-X, espectroscopia Mössbauer, espectroscopia de infra-vermelho de reflectância total com transformação de Fourier e microsensores.

Biocorrosion processes at metal surfaces are associated with microorganisms, or the products of their metabolic activities including enzymes, exopolymers, organic and inorganic acids, as well as volatile compounds such as ammonia or hydrogen sulfide. These can affect cathodic and/or anodic reactions, thus altering electrochemistry at the biofilm/metal interface. Various mechanisms of biocorrosion, reflecting the variety of physiological activities carried out by different types of microorganisms, are identified and recent insights into these mechanisms reviewed. Many modern investigations have centered on the microbially-influenced corrosion of ferrous and copper alloys and particular microorganisms of interest have been the sulfate-reducing bacteria and metal (especially manganese)-depositing bacteria. The importance of microbial consortia and the role of extracellular polymeric substances in biocorrosion are emphasized. The contribution to the study of biocorrosion of modern analytical techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, Auger electron, X-ray photoelectron and Mössbauer spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and microsensors, is discussed.

O problema microbiano maior na indústria de refino de petróleo é a contaminação de produtos armazenados, que pode levar à perda da qualidade, à formação de borra e à deterioração de tubulações e tanques de estocagem, na refinaria e no usuário. São abordadas, neste artigo, três classes de combustível, gasolina, querosene de aviação e óleo diesel, correspondente à ordem crescente de peso no fracionamento de petróleo. O óleo diesel apresenta os problemas microbiológicos mais sérios. São relatados os diversos microrganismos isolados de sistemas de combustíveis hidrocarbonados. São apresentadas as condições necessárias para crescimento microbiano e os métodos utilizados para o monitoramento e controle desse crescimento. Os efeitos de diversos aditivos, inclusive biocidas, são discutidos

The major microbial problem in the petroleum refining industry is contamination of stored products, which can lead to loss of product quality, formation of sludge and deterioration of pipework and storage tanks, both in the refinery and at the end-user. Three major classes of fuel are discussed in this article - gasoline, aviation kerosene and diesel, corresponding to increasingly heavy petroleum fractions. The fuel that presents the most serious microbiological problems is diesel. The many microorganisms that have been isolated from hydrocarbon fuel systems are listed. The conditions required for microbial growth and the methods used to monitor and to control this activity are discussed. The effects of various fuel additives, including biocides, are considered.