Fluoride-tolerant mutants of Aspergillus niger show enhanced phosphate solubilization capacity

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 13;9(10):e110246. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110246. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

P-solubilizing microorganisms are a promising alternative for a sustainable use of P against a backdrop of depletion of high-grade rock phosphates (RPs). Nevertheless, toxic elements present in RPs, such as fluorine, can negatively affect microbial solubilization. Thus, this study aimed at selecting Aspergillus niger mutants efficient at P solubilization in the presence of fluoride (F-). The mutants were obtained by exposition of conidia to UV light followed by screening in a medium supplemented with Ca3(PO4)2 and F-. The mutant FS1-555 showed the highest solubilization in the presence of F-, releasing approximately 70% of the P contained in Ca3(PO4)2, a value 1.7 times higher than that obtained for the wild type (WT). The mutant FS1-331 showed improved ability of solubilizing fluorapatites, increasing the solubilization of Araxá, Catalão, and Patos RPs by 1.7, 1.6, and 2.5 times that of the WT, respectively. These mutants also grew better in the presence of F-, indicating that mutagenesis allowed the acquisition of F- tolerance. Higher production of oxalic acid by FS1-331 correlated with its improved capacity for RP solubilization. This mutant represents a significant improvement and possess a high potential for application in solubilization systems with fluoride-rich phosphate sources.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus niger / genetics*
  • Aspergillus niger / metabolism*
  • Biomass
  • Fluorides*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mutagenesis
  • Mutation*
  • Phosphates*
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Phosphates
  • Fluorides

Grants and funding

Funding provided by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (www.cnpq.br), scholarships to UCS, NMRMS, IRS, MRT, and MDC. Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes) (www.capes.gov.br), scholarship to GOM. Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) (www.fapemig.br), grant GAG-APQ-00712-12. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.