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Bacillus sphaericus LMG 22257 is physiologically suitable for self-healing concrete

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology volume 101, pages 5101–5114 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

The suitability of using a spore-forming ureolytic strain, Bacillus sphaericus, was evaluated for self-healing of concrete cracks. The main focus was on alkaline tolerance, calcium tolerance, oxygen dependence, and low-temperature adaptability. Experimental results show that B. sphaericus had a good tolerance. It can grow and germinate in a broad range of alkaline pH. The optimal pH range is 7 ∼ 9. High alkaline conditions (pH 10 ∼ 11) slow down but not stop the growth and germination. Oxygen was strictly needed during bacterial growth and germination, but not an essential factor during bacterial urea decomposition. B. sphaericus also had a good Ca tolerance, especially at a high bacterial concentration of 108 cells/mL; no significant influence was observed on bacterial ureolytic activity of the presence of 0.9M Ca2+. Furthermore, at a low temperature (10 °C), bacterial spores germinated and revived ureolytic activity with some retardation. However, this retardation can be counteracted by using a higher bacterial concentration and by supplementing yeast extract. It can be concluded that B. sphaericus is a suitable bacterium for application in bacteria-based self-healing concrete.

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Acknowledgements

Jianyun Wang is a postdoctoral fellow of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen). The financial support from the Foundation is gratefully acknowledged.

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Affiliations

  1. Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research, Ghent University, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 904, 9052, Ghent, Belgium

    Jianyun Wang & Nele De Belie

  2. Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Jianyun Wang & Nico Boon

  3. Department of Materials and Environment, Delft University of Technology, Stevinweg 1, 2628, CN, Delft, The Netherlands

    Henk M. Jonkers

Authors
  1. Jianyun Wang
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  2. Henk M. Jonkers
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  3. Nico Boon
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  4. Nele De Belie
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Correspondence to Nele De Belie.

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Wang, J., Jonkers, H.M., Boon, N. et al. Bacillus sphaericus LMG 22257 is physiologically suitable for self-healing concrete. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 101, 5101–5114 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8260-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-017-8260-2

Keywords

  • Alkaline tolerance
  • Ureolytic activity
  • Bio-CaCO3
  • Ca tolerance
  • Oxygen dependence
  • Temperature adaptability