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Wednesday, 7th October 2009 (694 views)

Scientists have claimed that a certain form of bacteria helps the formation of gold.

Researchers from a variety of institutions, including the University of Adelaide, the Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation and the University of California, among others, investigated the biomineralisation properties of particular microbes.

The bacteria, named cupriavidus metallidurans, is thought to catalyse the biomineralisation of the yellow metal by transforming toxic gold compounds into their metallic form, according to a report from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.

Frank Reith, of the University of Adelaide and leader of the study, commented: "The results of this study point to their involvement in the active detoxification of gold complexes leading to formation of gold biominerals."

The experiments conducted by the group utilised synchrotron techniques at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and the Advanced Photon Source, as well as microbial methods in their research.

It was discovered that the bacteria is involved in the cycling of precious metals, including gold.

In other gold-related science news, gold nanoparticles have been used by scientists in Canada to improve prostate cancer research.

 

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