Enhancement of nickel laterite ore bioleaching by Burkholderia sp. using a factorial design

Abstract Interest in low-grade Ni-laterite ores has increased recent years; however, the laterite process proven technically difficult and costly, development of alternative low-cost biotechnologies for Ni solubilization been encouraged. In this context, first time, a sample Brazilian ore was subjected to microbial bioleaching using heterotrophic Burkholderia sp. strain. Experiments were performed 2 3 two-level full factorial design by determining influence glucose concentration (5–15%, w/v), (0.25–0.75%, cultivation period (14–42 days) on solubilization. The variable more important ( x 1 ). Bioleaching batch experiments demonstrated that about 87% (7.5 mg Ni/g ore) solubilized after 42 days. This study's significance is it opened up an opportunity potential application potassium-solubilizing bacterial strains ores.