Abstract

The main objective of this study was to find a more feasible and economical method to extract metal ions from laterite ore by Penicillium chrysogenum. The effect of different substrates on microbial recovery of metal ions from laterite ore using indigenous strain of P. chrysogenum was observed. Maximum recovery of aluminum (86.78%), iron (97.78%), manganese (77.61%), nickel (57.31%) and chromium (34.32%) was recorded in case of shaking flasks experiments up to 24 days of incubation. Metal ions solubilization was also compared with the samples, which were not shaken and maximum recovery of Al (83.54 %), Fe (96.12 %), Mn (88.56 %), Ni (46.53 %) and Cr (37.82 %), were attained up to 24 days of incubation period. Enhanced recovery of Fe and Al may be due to the result of the acidic effect of the environment and the chelating capacity of organic acids.

Key words: Bioleaching, Penicillium chrysogenum, agriculture wastes, laterite ore.