The genus thiobacillus: Physiology and industrial applications

This review deals with different aspects concerning the genus Thiobacillus as an obligat chemoautotroph able to oxidize reduced anorganic sulphur compounds. There are given the following topics: physiology of the genus (nutritional requirements, enzymatic complexes for sulphur oxidation, energy generation, reductive CO2 assimilation and growing in presence of organic compounds). The ecological significance of Thiobacilli in the sulphur cycle in Nature is presented. The industrial applications of Thiobacilli in respect to the leaching processes that allow the recovery of metals through oxidation and solubilization from low-grade ores are discussed, with special reference to copper and uraniu…