ISSN:
1476-5535
Keywords:
Bituminous coal
;
Biosolubilization
;
Penicillium sp.
;
Surface colonization
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Summary APenicillium sp. previously shown to grow on lignite coals degraded an air-oxidized bituminous coal (Illinois #6) to a material that was more than 80% soluble in 0.5 N NaOH. Scanning electron microscopy of the oxidized Illinois #6 revealed colonization of the surface by thePenicillium sp., production of conidia, and erosion of the coal surface. The average molecular weight (MW) of Illinois #6 degraded by the fungus and base-solubilized was approximately 1000 Da. The average MW for base-solubilized Illinois #6 that was not exposed to the fungus was 6000 Da, suggesting solubilizing mechanisms other than base catalysis. A spectrophotometric assay to quantify the microbial conversion of biosolubilized coal was developed. Standard curves were constructed based on the absorbance at 450 nm of different quantities of microbe-solubilized coal. An acid precipitation step was necessary to remove medium and/or microbial metabolites from solubilized coal to prevent overestimation of the extent of coal biosolubilization. Furthermore, the absorption spectra for different coal products varied, necessitating construction of standard curves for individual coals.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01576177
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