Abstract
Siderophores are molecules that exhibit a high specificity for iron (Fe), and their synthesis is induced by a deficiency of bioavailable Fe. Complexes of Fe-siderophore are formed extracellularly and diffuse through porins across membranes into bacterial cells. Siderophores can bind heavy metals facilitating their influx into cells via the same mechanism. The aim of the studies was to determine the ability of siderophore-producing bacteria isolated from soils in the north-west part of Wedel Jarlsberg Land (Spitsbergen) to chelate non-Fe metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Sn, and Zn). Specially modified blue agar plates were used, where Fe was substituted by Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Sn, or Zn in metal-chrome azurol S (CAS) complex, which retained the blue color. It has been proven that 31 out of 33 strains were capable of producing siderophores that bind to Fe, as well as other metals. Siderophores from Pantoea sp. 24 bound only Fe and Zn, and O. anthropi 55 did not produce any siderophores in pure culture. The average efficiency of Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Sn, and Zn chelation was either comparable or higher than that of Fe, while Al and Hg showed significantly lower efficiency. Siderophores produced by S. maltophilia 54, P. luteola 27, P. luteola 46, and P. putida 49 exhibited the highest non-Fe metal chelation activity. It can be concluded that the siderophores of these bacteria may constitute an integral part of the metal bioleaching preparation, and this fact will be the subject of further research.