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Autonomous bioremediation of a microbial protein (bioremediase) in Pozzolana cementitious composite

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Abstract

The self-bioremediation in cementitious composite material is one of the most interesting avenues relating to damage management and self-life of constructions, which needs to be cogitated. The self-bioremediation of a microbial protein-impregnated cementitious material has been explored in this work. The bioremediase protein was isolated from a hot spring bacterium (BKH1) and incorporated at three different concentrations into commercial Pozzolana cements that are widely used for mortar sample preparation. Artificial cracks were generated within the mortar samples by applying partial breaking load (50 %) and the samples were cured under water for different days. Image analysis by Crackscope and microstructure analysis by field emission scanning electron microscope ascertained the formation of irregular crystalline healing material within the cracks of the test samples. X-ray diffractometer and energy dispersive spectra analyses confirmed that the irregular crystalline structures were due to the deposition of new silicate phase (Gehlenite) within the cracks. Increase of ultrasonic pulse velocity and compressive strength, augmentation of sulphate resistance, decrease of chloride permeability and water absorption capacity revealed that there were overall improvement of mechanical properties and durability of the protein-incorporated mortar samples compared to the control (without protein incorporation) mortar samples. This cost effective and eco-friendly self-bioremediation phenomenon observed in mortar is evolved due to the biosilicification activity of bioremediase protein when amended in mortar samples. The exceptional potential of the microbial bioremediase protein for self-bioremediation attribute may add a new dimension in self-healing construction technology in near future.

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Acknowledgements

The financial assistance to this investigation received from Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, Government of India, and their R&D Grant and file number BT/PR-11289/BCE/08/707/2008, Dated 30 May 2011 is gratefully acknowledged. The PI is also grateful to DBT for continuing the work in two successive projects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India

    Manas Sarkar, Trinath Chowdhury & Brajadulal Chattopadhyay

  2. Department of Life Science & Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India

    Ratan Gachhui

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India

    Saroj Mandal

Authors
  1. Manas Sarkar
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  2. Trinath Chowdhury
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  3. Brajadulal Chattopadhyay
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  4. Ratan Gachhui
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  5. Saroj Mandal
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Correspondence to Brajadulal Chattopadhyay.

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Sarkar, M., Chowdhury, T., Chattopadhyay, B. et al. Autonomous bioremediation of a microbial protein (bioremediase) in Pozzolana cementitious composite. J Mater Sci 49, 4461–4468 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8143-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8143-1

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