Revisión: Aspectos fundamentales de la flotación de apatita, calcita, hematita, magnesita y cuarzo usando la bacteria Rhodococcus opacus

Abstract

This article presents a review on the studies of the Rhodococcus opacus bacteria as bioreagent in mineral flotation. The microflotation of apatite, calcite, hematite, magnesite and quartz showed that the Rhodococcus opacus bacteria has potential as a bioreagent. In addition, electrokinetic measurements indicated that electrostatic interaction plays a decisive role in bacterial-mineral adhesion. On the other hand, On the other hand, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) detected a significant amount of carboxylic and amino groups in the bacterial cell wall; the dissociation of these groups can be responsible for the negative surface charge of the bacteria over a wide pH range, as well as their isoelectric point (IEP) acid, around 2.5. Other studies, such as the XDLVO theory and the thermodynamic approach, reported that hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions as well as van der Waals forces are also involved in adhesion phenomena. Finally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed the affinity and selectivity of the Rhodococcus opacus bacteria on the mineral surfaces.