Author : Indira Rathore, Manila Sen, Amita Dhariwal Gharu and J. C. Tarafdar

A unique bacteria Bacillus megaterium JCT13 was isolated purified and cultured from arid soils which are secreting a large amount of phytase along with phosphatases. The bacteria have the ability to breakdown P nanoparticles of 50 nm size from phytin salts (0.1mM concentration) within 24 hours. The characterization of nanoparticles were carried out with the help of Particle size analyzer (PSA), Transmission electron microscopy(TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy(XRD) and Electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). A considerable increase in inorganic P (Pi) release was observed between 3 and 10 days with the inoculation of the bacteria to phytin, lecithin, Na-glycerophosphate and tri-calcium phosphate under solution culture. After inoculation, the net Pi release in the soil was 1-3 times more at non sterile condition and 6-12 times more under sterile condition. The intensity of the Pi release was also more under low organic matter than high organic matter soil. The results clearly demonstrated the potential of the isolated bacteria for biosynthesis of P nanoparticles from salt solution containing phytin and its role in mobilization of P in soil from different unavailable P sources after inoculation of bacteria to the soil.

Keywords: Biosynthesis, Characterization, P nanoparticles, Bacillus megaterium JCT13, Phytin, P mobilization

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.5, No.6 (Dec-2015)