Growth of a wall-less, L-form of Escherichia coli specifically requires calcium, and in its absence, cells ceased dividing, became spherical, swelled, developed large vacuoles, and eventually lysed. The key cell division protein, FtsZ, was present in the L-form at a concentration five times less than that in the parental strain. One interpretation of these results is that the L-form possesses a...

The industry standard iron source for algae culture is in most cases Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ferric sodium salt (Fe-EDTA). During algae production pH and light intensity are not favorable for maintaining the integrity of the Fe-EDTA complex. As a consequence, iron availability becomes the limiting factor for growth. A series of growth studies and biomass determinations with a selection ...

Two chelating agents meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and sodium 2,3-dimercapto-propane-1-sulphonate (DMPS) were tested for their efficiency in mercury removal from the body of rats in the presence and in the absence of selenium. Female Wistar rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of mercuric chloride or an equimolar mixture of mercuric chloride and sodium selenite (1.5 micr...

Microbial iron chelates, called siderophores, are synthesized by bacteria and fungi in response to low iron availability in the environment. The present review summarizes structural details of siderophore ligands with respect to their transport properties. This presentation is largely centred on the occurrence and function of siderophores in the various bacterial and fungal genera.

Massive stockpiles of uranium (U) mine tailings have resulted in soil contamination with U. Plants for remediation low extraction efficiency Chelating agents can mobilize U soils and, hence, enhance phytoextraction from the soil. However, rapid mobilization rate by chelating a short period than plant uptake could increase risk groundwater soluble leaching down profile. This review summarizes re...

Exposure to heavy metals is a common phenomenon due to their environmental pervasiveness. Metal intoxication particularly neurotoxicity, genotoxicity, or carcinogenicity is widely known. This review summarizes our current understanding about the mechanism by which metalloids or heavy metals (particularly arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury) induce their toxic effects. The unifying factor in dete...