Breakthrough Discovery: New Bacterium Pseudochrobactrum saccharolyticum Efficiently Removes Manganese from Polluted Environments

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology recently published a groundbreaking study reporting the discovery of a new manganese-oxidizing bacterium, Pseudochrobactrum saccharolyticum, isolated from manganese mine soil in Guizhou Province, China. The research, led by Shuli Liu and colleagues at Zunyi Medical University, marks the first report of this species’ ability to oxidize manganese.

The bacterium was identified through 16S rRNA sequencing and leucoberbelin blue (LBB) assays confirming its strong manganese-oxidizing activity. Under optimal conditions—temperature 33 °C, pH 6.0, Mn²⁺ concentration 5 mmol/L, and 20 µmol/L Fe³⁺—the bacterium achieved a remarkable 92.05% Mn²⁺ removal rate and produced 3.55 mmol/L biogenic manganese oxides (BMOs).

Spectroscopic analyses (XPS, XRD, and FTIR) revealed that the resulting BMOs consisted mainly of Mn⁴⁺ (69.3%), with minor Mn³⁺ and Mn²⁺ fractions. Functional groups such as hydroxyl and amide were identified, contributing to efficient adsorption and oxidation of manganese ions.

This study demonstrates that Pseudochrobactrum saccharolyticum represents a promising indigenous microorganism for bioremediating manganese pollution, particularly in karst mining regions where chemical treatment methods are costly and environmentally damaging. Beyond manganese removal, the findings highlight new microbial strategies for restoring metal-contaminated ecosystems sustainably.

Reference

Liu, S., Luo, X., Zhu, Z. et al. Bacterium Biological characteristics and oxidation performance of a new manganese-oxidizing bacteria: Pseudochrobactrum saccharolyticum. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 41, 397 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-025-04587-1

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