Determination of the Carbonate Dissolution Mechanism of Lactococcus sp.

Magnesite, the main source for magnesium and magnesium derivatives, are also commonly used in the production of caustic, dead-burned and fused magnesia. World magnesite resources are estimated to be at 12 billion tonnes mostly located in China, Russia, North Korea, Australia and Turkey. Turkey is the second producer of the magnesite. Magnesite deposits in Turkey are sedimentary magnesite which have been formed in specific conditions as high concentrations of MgSO4 and CO2 and presence of certain organic salts or created by hot or cold dissolution connected with carbonate rocks mainly with dolomites. According to the genesis of magnesite deposits, they have some impurities as calcium, quartz, iron, etc. Impurities of magnesite, especially CaCO3, reduce its economic value and industrial usability. In our previous study, we have performed biotechnologically enrichment of magnesite by Lactococcus sp., which gave significantly important results. However, we had no information about carbonate dissolution mechanism of bacteria. Therefore, it is aimed to reveal the metabolites of Lactococcus sp. and mechanism leading to the carbonate dissolution (MgCO3 and CaCO3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]