Iron-Reducing Bacteria and Iron Nanostructures

Abstract

Iron Reducing Bacteria (IRB) are one of the most applicable microorganisms in various industrial and environmental activities. These bacteria play a main role in the natural iron transformation. They act in a reverse metabolic pathway in contrast to iron oxidizing bacteria. In the anaerobic conditions IRB are capable to use ferric ion as the final electron acceptor and reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+. What makes these bacteria interesting in bionanotechnology is that IRB are able to synthesize iron nanostructures. In this mini review we have a quick look on the diversity, metabolism, and cultivation of IRB. Finally, we discuss iron nano structures which biosynthesized by IRB.