Integrated processing platform for the production, recovery and separation of bio-produced tellurium particles
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: In alignment with Circular Economy principles, the recovery and upcycling of Tellurium (Te) for the production of advanced sensors and particles for therapy and bioimaging bioimaging—particularly through bio-based strategies—has garnered significant interest. The bioproduction of tellurium-particles (TePs) offers an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to conventional hydrothermal and chemical processes. However, downstream processing (DSP), specifically the recovery and separation of TePs, remains a major challenge for the practical implementation of these biogenic approaches. Therefore, innovative, eco-friendly, and low-energy extraction are urgently needed to replace existing techniques that rely on energy-intensive processes or hazardous chemicals. This study optimized the biogenic production of TePs Paenibacillus pabuli ALJ109b in the presence of Te(IV), as well as a process integration to enhance yields, and environmental performance using. Optimal bacterial growth and tellurite reduction were achieved with Trypticase Soy Broth when the metalloid was added during the late exponential phase (4 h), resulting in a 24% reduction in Te(IV) concentration after 20 h. Various cell disruption methods were evaluated for the TePs recovery, with 3 min of sonication in water providing the most effective for particle release. Additionally, a 1:1 mixture of water and ethanol emerged as the most efficient solvent for separating TePs from cell debris. TePs recovered after 8 h of bacterial growth exhibited smaller and more stable aggregates compared to those recovered after 24 h. Low-intensity sonication had minimal effects on particle size and surface charge. These findings confirm the potential of P. pabulis ALJ109b for the biogenic production of TePs. Furthermore, the integration of low-cost and eco-friendly solvents in straightforward solid-liquid extraction processes provides a sustainable and efficient solution for cell lysis and recovering of these microparticles from bacterial biomass.
Authors: Pedro Farias, Inês Costa, Alexandre M.S. Jorge, Rita Branco, Paula V. Morais, José António Paixão, Jorge F.B. Pereira
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,060
Awards: G1677158198, G1796280039, G2838090188, G3017147763, Centro de Física da Universidade de Coimbra, G3237049157, G3291462978, Plataforma integrada para reciclagem de águas residuais de tingimento de têxtil utilizando Sistemas de Aquosos Bifásicos: Uma abordagem de economia circular, G4670429333, G4938089878, G5040648293, G5213199887, G5540300070, Centro de Física da Universidade de Coimbra, G7443639755, G7459319395, Produção Avançada e Sistemas Inteligentes, Centro de Engenharia Mecânica, Materiais e Processos (CEMMPRE)
OpenAlex ID: W4409760938