An Aspergillus aculateus strain was capable of producing agriculturally useful nanoparticles via bioremediation of iron ore tailings

Mining waste such as iron ore tailing is environmentally hazardous, encouraging researchers to develop
effective bioremediation technologies. Among the microbial isolates collected from iron ore tailings,
Aspergillus aculeatus (strain T6) showed good leaching efficiency and produced iron-containing nanoparticles
under ambient conditions. This strain can convert iron ore tailing waste into agriculturally
useful nanoparticles. Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR analysis) established the at the
particles are protein coated, with energy dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX analysis) showing strong
signals for iron. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM analysis) showed semi-quasi spherical particles
having average size of 15 ± 5 nm. These biosynthesized nanoparticles when tested for their efficacy on
seed emergence activity of mungbean (Vigna radiata) seeds, and enhanced plant growth at 10 and
20 ppm.