Strain Screening and Particle Formation: a Lysinibacillus boronitolerans for Self-Healing Concrete
Jian-Miao Xu, Cheng Lu, Weijie Wang, Zi-Ye Du, Jiajia Pan, Feng Cheng, Yuan-Shan Wang, Zhi‐Qiang Liu, Yu‐Guo Zheng
Abstract
The formation of calcium carbonate crystals in concrete by urease-producing bacteria is not understood fully. In this study, a Lysinibacillus boronitolerans strain with a high urease activity was isolated and used to analyze the counts and sizes of the crystals and the relationship with time. The data showed that the number of crystal particles increases exponentially in a short period with sufficient substrate, after which the crystals grow, precipitate or break. In concrete, the rate-limiting steps of calcium carbonate crystal accumulation are spore germination and urease production. These results provided data support for the rational design of urease-producing bacteria in concrete repair.