Bacterial Biosolubilization Of Neyveli Lignite Into Humic Acid
 

Ramesh C.Tripathi^1*, Vimal K. Jain², Prem S.M.Tripathi^3
1Central Fuel Research Institute, P.O.-F.R.I. 828108, Dhanbad, (Jharkhand), (INDIA)
²Department of Biochemical Engineering and Food Technology, Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur-208002 (U.P.), (INDIA) 3403, Mamta Shubham Apartments, Jai Prakash Nagar, Dhanbad-826001, Jharkhand, (INDIA)

Results of investigations on the biosolubilization of a low-rank coal, viz. lignite (from Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, India), into humic acid are reported in the present paper. Solubilization was effected at ambient temperature and pressure, employing two bacterial strains isolated from Neyveli lignite mines. The bacterial microbes were isolated, characterized and studied under controlled conditions for their efficacy to solubilize the lignite. The results evince that of the two isolated bacterial strains, Bacillus sp. showed maximum (4.2%, w/w) solubilization, whereas the other one, viz., Bacillus licheniformis, exhibited comparatively less solubilization, 3.3% (w/w). The solubilization process was studied in respect of such parameters as media, initial pH, incubation period, and substrate concentration. A plausible mechanism of the solubilization by bacterial species is suggested.