Full Length Research Paper

Effect of amino acids on bioleaching of chalcopyrite ore by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

B. Ghosh^{1, 2}, B. P. Mukhopadhyay¹* and H. R. Bairagya¹

¹Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, M.G. Avenue, Durgapur-713209, India.

²Department of Chemistry, Dr B.C.Roy Engineering College, Durgapur-713206, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: bpmk2@yahoo.com. Tel: +91 0343 2547074. Fax: +91-03432547375/2546753

Accepted 4 November, 2011

   Abstract

Amino acids seem to play a major role during bioleaching of chalcopyrite ore by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Efficiency of microbial leaching of chalcopyrite by T. ferrooxidans was investigated in the presence of L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-histidine and L-serine. The bioleaching of copper ion (Cu²⁺⁾ from the low grade ore increased significantly in the presence of L-serine. Although the leaching was increased in the presence of L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid and L-histidine during the initial period, it was observed to decrease after a few days. However, in the L-serine supplemented medium, a steady state of leaching was maintained for a reasonable time.

Key words: Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, chalcopyrite, amino acid, bioleaching.