Role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from Pseudomonas putida strain MnB1 in dissolution of natural rhodochrosite

Abstract. Microbially mediated oxidation of Mn(II) to Mn oxides have been demonstrated in previous studies, however, the mechanisms of bacteria how to dissolve and oxidize using a solid Mn(II) origin are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from P. putida strain MnB1 in enhancing dissolution of natural rhodochrosite. The results showed that P. putida strain MnB1 cell can effectively dissolve and oxidize natural rhodochrosite to generate Mn oxides, and EPS were found to play an important role in increasing dissolution of natural rhodochrosite. Compared with EPS-free treatment, dissolution rate of natural rhodochrosite in the presence of bacterial EPS was significantly increased with decreasing initial pH and increasing EPS concentration, ionic strength and rhodochrosite dosage (p < 0.05). The fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis implies that the functional groups like N-H, C=O and C-H in EPS contributed to the dissolution of natural rhodochrosite. This study is helpful for understanding the mechanisms of the formation of biogenic Mn oxides using a solid Mn(II) origin.