Academic Journal
First report of microbially induced phosphate precipitation (MIPP) for sand solidification at low temperatures via acid urease producing bacteria.
| Title: | First report of microbially induced phosphate precipitation (MIPP) for sand solidification at low temperatures via acid urease producing bacteria. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Kato T; Technical Research and Development Institute, Kumagai Gumi Co., Ltd, Tsukuba, Japan. tatsuhiro.kato@ku.kumagaigumi.co.jp.; Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. tatsuhiro.kato@ku.kumagaigumi.co.jp., Kawasaki S; Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. |
| Source: | World journal of microbiology & biotechnology [World J Microbiol Biotechnol] 2026 Apr 29; Vol. 42 (5). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 29. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Springer Country of Publication: Germany NLM ID: 9012472 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1573-0972 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09593993 NLM ISO Abbreviation: World J Microbiol Biotechnol Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2005- : Berlin : Springer Original Publication: Oxford, OX, UK : Published by Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd in association with UNESCO and in collaboration with the International Union of Microbiological Societies, c1990- |
| MeSH Terms: | Urease*/metabolism , Phosphates*/chemistry , Phosphates*/metabolism , Pseudomonas*/enzymology , Pseudomonas*/metabolism , Sand*/chemistry, Calcium Phosphates/chemistry ; Calcium Phosphates/metabolism ; Ammonia/metabolism ; Urea/metabolism ; Soil/chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Cold Temperature ; Biological Products ; Minerals |
| Abstract: | The microbially induced phosphate precipitation (MIPP) method, characterized by use of acid urease, has emerged as an ecofriendly soil improvement technology that successfully mitigates the drawbacks of standard microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) processes. In this study, we developed a MIPP method utilizing a unique bacterium, Pseudomonas sp. which exhibits acid urease activity even at low temperatures. By using bone meal and urea to mineralize calcium phosphate compounds, we achieved effective sand solidification while suppressing ammonia emissions. Experimental results showed that the maximum unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of 0.46 MPa was achieved at 25 °C. Crucially, although the strength (0.21 MPa) at 15 °C was lower than that at 25 °C, the method demonstrated its applicability even at low temperatures. The results from microstructure analysis indicated that the UCS was attributed to the formation of brushite (CaHPO4・2H2O), which acted as a cementing material between sand particles. In terms of cost-effectiveness, the proposed MIPP method achieved a significant reduction to 492 JPY per liter of treatment solution, compared to the standard MICP/MIPP method. This reduction is attributed to the use of NBRC 802 medium, which is more economical than the conventional NH₄YE or MRS medium, as well as the utilization of low-cost, waste-derived bone meal. These findings suggest that the proposed MIPP method provides a low-cost, and carbon-neutral solution for ground improvement, particularly suitable for large-scale applications and diverse environments such as cold regions. |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. |
| References: | Achal V, Mukherjee A (2015) A review of microbial precipitation for sustainable construction. Constr Build Mater 93:1224–1235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.04.051. Akiyama M, Kawasaki S (2012) Novel grout material comprised of calcium phosphate compounds: In vitro evaluation of crystal precipitation and strength reinforcement. Eng Geol 125:119–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2011.11.011. Almajed A, Khodadadi Tirkolaei H, Kavazanjian E (2018) Baseline Investigation on Enzyme-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 144:04018081. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001973. Avramenko M, Nakashima K, Takano C, Kawasaki S (2023) Eco-friendly soil stabilization method using fish bone as cement material. Sci Total Environ 900:165823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165823. Avramenko M, Nakashima K, Takano C, Kawasaki S (2024) Ecofriendly solidification of sand using microbially induced calcium phosphate precipitation. Sci Rep 14:12412. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63016-9. Bolleter WT, Bushman CJ, Tidwell PW (1961) Spectrophotometric Determination of Ammonia as Indophenol. Anal Chem 33:592–594. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac60172a034. Bu C, Wen K, Liu S, et al (2018) Development of bio-cemented constructional materials through microbial induced calcite precipitation. Mater Struct 51:30. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-018-1157-4. Chae SH, Chung H, Nam K (2020) Evaluation of microbially Induced calcite precipitation (MICP) methods on different soil types for wind erosion control. Environmental Engineering Research 26:. https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2019.507. Chen Z, Chen L, Khoo KS, et al (2023) Exploitation of lignocellulosic-based biomass biorefinery: A critical review of renewable bioresource, sustainability and economic views. Biotechnol Adv 69:108265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108265. Cheng L, Shahin MA, Mujah D (2017) Influence of Key Environmental Conditions on Microbially Induced Cementation for Soil Stabilization. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 143:04016083. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001586. DeJong JT, Mortensen BM, Martinez BC, Nelson DC (2010) Bio-mediated soil improvement. Ecol Eng 36:197–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2008.12.029. Felipe Arbeláez Pérez O, Senior Arrieta V, Hernán Gómez Ospina J, et al (2024) Carbon dioxide emissions from traditional and modified concrete. A review. Environ Dev 52:101036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2024.101036. Gebru KA, Kidanemariam TG, Gebretinsae HK (2021) Bio-cement production using microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) method: A review. Chem Eng Sci 238:116610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2021.116610. Gowthaman S, Kumamoto Y, Nakashima K, et al (2025) Proposing a new sustainable approach for sand improvement using biologically-derived calcium phosphate cement. Biogeotechnics 3:100135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bgtech.2024.100135. Gowthaman S, Mitsuyama S, Nakashima K, et al (2019) Biogeotechnical approach for slope soil stabilization using locally isolated bacteria and inexpensive low-grade chemicals: A feasibility study on Hokkaido expressway soil, Japan. Soil Found 59:484–499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2018.12.010. Gowthaman S, Mohsenzadeh A, Nakashima K, Kawasaki S (2022) Removal of ammonium by-products from the effluent of bio-cementation system through struvite precipitation. Materials Today: Proceedings 61:243–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.09.013. Gowthaman S, Nakashima K, Kawasaki S (2020) Freeze-thaw durability and shear responses of cemented slope soil treated by microbial induced carbonate precipitation. Soil Found 60:840–855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2020.05.012. Gowthaman S, Yamamoto M, Chen M, et al (2023) Baseline investigation on enzyme induced calcium phosphate precipitation for solidification of sand. Front Built Environ 9:1307650. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2023.1307650. Gowthaman S, Yamamoto M, Nakashima K, et al (2021) Calcium phosphate biocement using bone meal and acid urease: An eco-friendly approach for soil improvement. J Clean Prod 319:128782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128782. Ivanov V, Stabnikov V, Kawasaki S (2019) Ecofriendly calcium phosphate and calcium bicarbonate biogrouts. J Cleaner Prod 218:328–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.01.315. Kawamura D, Kawasaki S (2025) Physical and Chemical Properties of Solidified Cultivating Soil Blended with Waste Woody Biomass Prepared by the EICP Method. J Soc Mat Sci, Japan 74:161–166. https://doi.org/10.2472/jsms.74.161. Kohn MJ, Rakovan J, Hughes JM (eds) (2002) Phosphates: Geochemical, Geobiological and Materials Importance. De Gruyter. Kulanthaivel P, Soundara B, Selvakumar S, Das A (2022) Application of waste eggshell as a source of calcium in bacterial bio-cementation to enhance the engineering characteristics of sand. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29:66450–66461. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20484-8. Li Y, Wen K, Li L, et al (2020) Experimental investigation on compression resistance of bio-bricks. Construction and Building Materials 265:120751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120751. Liu Y, Weng P, Liu Y, et al (2022) Citrus pectin research advances: Derived as a biomaterial in the construction and applications of micro/nano-delivery systems. Food Hydrocolloids 133:107910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.107910. Oberti I, Paciello A (2022) Bioplastic as a Substitute for Plastic in Construction Industry. Encyclopedia 2:1408–1420. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia2030095. Omoregie AI, Ngu LH, Ong DEL, Nissom PM (2019) Low-cost cultivation of Sporosarcina pasteurii strain in food-grade yeast extract medium for microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) application. Biocatal Agric Biotechnol 17:247–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2018.11.030. Omoregie AI, Palombo EA, Nissom PM (2020) Bioprecipitation of calcium carbonate mediated by ureolysis: A review. Environ Eng Res 26:200379–0. https://doi.org/10.4491/eer.2020.379. Pesode P, Barve S (2022) Additive manufacturing of metallic biomaterials and its biocompatibility. Mater Today: Proc S2214785322070985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.11.248. Scrivener KL, John VM, Gartner EM (2018) Eco-efficient cements: Potential economically viable solutions for a low-CO2 cement-based materials industry. Cem Concr Res 114:2–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2018.03.015. Stocks-Fischer S, Galinat JK, Bang SS (1999) Microbiological precipitation of CaCO3. Soil Biol Biochem 31:1563–1571. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0038-0717(99)00082-6. Su F, Yang Y, Qi Y, Zhang H (2022) Combining microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) with zeolite: A new technique to reduce ammonia emission and enhance soil treatment ability of MICP technology. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 10:107770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2022.107770. Sun X, Miao L, Yuan J, et al (2021) Application of enzymatic calcification for dust control and rainfall erosion resistance improvement. Science of The Total Environment 759:143468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143468. Van Paassen LA, Ghose R, Van Der Linden TJM, et al (2010) Quantifying Biomediated Ground Improvement by Ureolysis: Large-Scale Biogrout Experiment. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 136:1721–1728. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000382. Wang Y, Sun X, Miao L, et al (2024) State-of-the-art review of soil erosion control by MICP and EICP techniques: Problems, applications, and prospects. Sci Total Environ 912:169016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169016. Whiffin VS (2004) Microbial CaCO<sub>3</sub> precipitation for the production of biocement. Murdoch University. Zamarreňo DV, May E, Inkpen R (2009) Influence of Environmental Temperature on Biocalcification by Non-sporing Freshwater Bacteria. Geomicrobiol J 26:298–309. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490450902895962. Zhang C, Du C, Liang B, et al (2025a) Biopolymer-enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) for the green solidification/stabilization of graphite tailings: Mechanical, leaching, and microstructural characterization. Environmental Research 276:121471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.121471. Zhang C, Du C, Liang B, et al (2025b) Synergistic effect of dual-enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation and modified plant fibers on the bio-cementation of graphite tailings. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 332:148695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148695. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Pseudomonas sp.; Acid urease; Ammonia suppression; Bone meal; Low-temperature solidification; Microbially Induced Phosphate Precipitation (MIPP) |
| Substance Nomenclature: | EC 3.5.1.5 (Urease) 0 (Phosphates) 0 (Calcium Phosphates) 0 (Sand) 7664-41-7 (Ammonia) TRS31EO6ZN (bone meal) O7TSZ97GEP (calcium phosphate, dibasic, dihydrate) 8W8T17847W (Urea) 0 (Soil) 0 (Biological Products) 0 (Minerals) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260428 Date Completed: 20260628 Latest Revision: 20260628 |
| Update Code: | 20260628 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11274-026-04984-0 |
| PMID: | 42050090 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1573-0972 |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.1007/s11274-026-04984-0 |