A new method for biological synthesis of agriculturally relevant nanohydroxyapatite with elucidated effects on soil bacteria

Sci Rep. 2019 Oct 21;9(1):15083. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51514-0.

Abstract

The study describes a novel and environment friendly route of biosynthesis of nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP). Bacillus licheniformis mediated synthesis of nHAP has been carried out with different phosphate concentrations (2%, 5%, 10% and 20% w/v) of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate monobasic (K2HPO4). The synthesis is supported by a two-step mechanism - (i) solubilization of P by organic acids extracellularly secreted by the bacterial strain and (ii) gelation of P and Ca. The nHAP particles were characterized using electron microscopy and XRD analysis. Powdered crystalline particles with a size range of 30 ± 5 nm were obtained with shape and size dependent on phosphate concentrations. The particles showed no adverse effect on plant growth-promoting bacteria. Evaluation of nHAP prepared by this route with 2% P source provides scope for a wide range of applications, especially as a nano-fertilizer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / methods*
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Calcium / analysis
  • Durapatite / pharmacology*
  • Gluconates / analysis
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Particle Size
  • Phosphorus / analysis
  • Soil Microbiology*
  • Soil*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Static Electricity
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Gluconates
  • Soil
  • Phosphorus
  • Durapatite
  • gluconic acid
  • Calcium