ISOLATION OF UREASE PRODUCING BACTERIA TO PRODUCE BIOCEMENT VIA MICP PROCESSP.S. Rayate, A.S. Kale, A. S. Kadbhane and K.R. WagghAbstract In the present study alkaliphilic bacteria, isolated from paddy field i.e. rich in urea was used for production of biocement. Urea hydrolysis is carried out by enzyme urease and is the most effective way of the generating calcium carbonate via producing CO3+ and NH3+. Ammonia increases the pH in the environment causing Ca2+ and Co3+ to precipitate in the form of calcium carbonate, which can be used as biocement. It is one of the mechanisms of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). Among the 5 isolates, potent urease producer which can tolerate urea up to 3.5% was used for the study. Tap and Borewell water having hardness of 22 mg/ml and 17 mg/ml was used for the biocement production. Urease activity was calculated using electrical conductivity method and it was in the range of 1.602-1.901 mS/min. In vitro biocement was produced by isolate (B) by incubating it for 7 days and the biomass precipitated was filtered, air dried and analysed by SEM and FTIR. The present ecofriendly approach can be potentially useful for removal of water hardness along with production of biocement. |