Following up of the Function of Acidithiodabacillus Ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus Thiooxidans Involved in Uranium Bioleaching After Preservation at Low Temperatures

Acidithiobacillus species is used in bioleaching process of metals such as uranium, copper, nickel. The purpose of this study was to develop an effective protocol using facilities available for preservation of isolated native bacteria involved in uranium bioleaching. In this study, the bacteria involved in uranium bioleaching AEOI  Laboratory were cultured, purified and stored at 4 and -80°C. Then, variation of pH, Eh, growth and biochemical characteristics were examined after 6 months of storage and compared with the bacteria before using the preservation methods. The results indicated that the preservation of the bacteria within 6 months at selective temperatures did not have any effect on the biochemical characteristics of the bacteria. In addition, no significant changes were observed in the variation of pH, Eh and growth of bacteria, before and after the preservations. The results suggested that 6 months preservations of native bacteria at 4 and -80°C, had no effect on the ability of bacteria in bioleaching process.