In vitro production of struvite by Bacillus pumilus

A strain of Bacillus pumilus, isolated from the soilborne sclerotia of a fungus, produced crystals of the mineral struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate) on Difco nutrient agar and a yeast extract agar containing magnesium sulphate and potassium phosphate. Crystals were macroscopically observed after 6–20 days of bacterial growth and reached a maximum size of 3 × 0.5 mm. Crystals were identified by X-ray powder diffractometry. These findings support the hypothesis that bacteria are involved in the biogenic formation of struvite in nature. Key words: struvite, magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate, Bacillus pumilus, biomineral.

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