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A mini review of enzyme-induced calcite precipitation (EICP) technique for eco-friendly bio-cement production

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Abstract

This paper has presented a mini review of previously published articles dealing with bio-cement production using enzyme-induced calcite precipitation (EICP) technique. EICP is a biological, sustainable, and natural way of producing calcite without the direct involvement of microorganisms from urea and calcium chloride using urease enzyme in water-based solution with minimum energy consumption and eco-friendly. Calcite is a renewable bio-material that acts as a binder to improve the mechanical properties of soils like strength, stiffness, and water permeability. EICP has many real applications such as fugitive duct control with low cost comparing with water application or pouring, self-healing cracked concretes, and upgrade or change the low-volume road surfaces that are difficult for road constructions. The crystal structure of finally produced calcium carbonate (CaCO3), calcite is affected by the source of calcium ion; the calcite produced from calcium chloride has a rhombohedral crystal structure. The urease enzyme used for EICP applications could be produced in a laboratory-scale from different plant species, bacteria, some yeasts, fungi, tissues of humans, and invertebrates. Nevertheless, urease enzyme produced from jack beans has showed urease enzyme activity around 2700–3500U/g, and the tendency to replace the urease enzyme found in the global market. All urease enzymes have 12-nm size, and this smaller size makes EICP preferable for all types of soil or sands including fine and silt sands.

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Data availability

This is a review paper, and it was prepared based on the previously published papers. All the table data and schematics were generated based on the papers cited and used in the review paper. Figures were redrawn and properly acknowledged.

Abbreviations

CaCO3 :

Calcium carbonate

EICP:

Enzyme-induced calcium carbonate precipitation

HCl:

Hydrochloric acid

MICP:

Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation

PVC:

Polyvinyl chloride

UCS:

Unconfined compressive strength

SEM:

Scanning electron microscopy

XRD:

X ray diffraction

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Funding

This research work is funded by the Messebo Cement Factory PLC, (MCF), Tigray, Ethiopia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, Adigrat University, Tigray, Ethiopia

    Tekleweyni Gebremicael Kidanemariam & Kibrom Alebel Gebru

  2. Department of Construction Technology and Management, College of Engineering and Technology, Adigrat University, Tigray, Ethiopia

    Haile Kidane Gebretinsae

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  1. Tekleweyni Gebremicael Kidanemariam
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  2. Kibrom Alebel Gebru
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  3. Haile Kidane Gebretinsae
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Contributions

Tekleweyni G. Kidanemariam and Kbrom A. Gebru conceived the frame of the paper; Tekleweyni G. Kidanemariam wrote and made the data figures of the manuscript, and Kbrom A. Gebru and Haile K. Gebretinsae participated in writing, editing, and reorganizing the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kibrom Alebel Gebru.

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Kidanemariam, T.G., Gebru, K.A. & Kidane Gebretinsae, H. A mini review of enzyme-induced calcite precipitation (EICP) technique for eco-friendly bio-cement production. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 16206–16215 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31555-9

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