Hot spring bacterial strain BKH1 and protein isolated therefrom, concrete compositions, and uses thereof
View Patent ↗Disclosed is a Thermoanaerobacter sp. bacterial strain (BKHI) isolated from a hot spring, a purified protein (bioremediase) isolated from bacterial strain BKH1, as well as concrete compositions comprising BKH1 and/or the protein, and methods of using the protein and/or composition. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the protein isolated from BKHI, as well as expression vectors, host cells, cell lines, and methods for generating and purifying the bioremediase protein.
1. A method for increasing the strength of a concrete composition comprising contacting a cement matrix with the isolated Thermoanaerobacter sp. bacterial cell of strain BKH1, wherein the BKH1 strain comprises a 697 nucleotide 16S ribosomal RNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, in an amount effective to increase the strength of the concrete composition by about 25% relative to the strength of the concrete composition in the absence of the bacterial cells.
2. A method for reinforcing an existing concrete structure comprising contacting the existing concrete structure with a concrete composition comprising an effective amount of an isolated Thermoanaerobacter sp. bacterial cells of strain BKH 1, wherein the BKH1 strain comprises a 697 nucleotide 16S ribosomal RNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
3. A method for repairing an existing concrete structure comprising contacting the existing concrete structure in need of repair with a concrete composition comprising an effective amount of an isolated Thermoanaerobacter sp. bacterial cells of strain BKH1, wherein the BKH1 strain comprises a 697 nucleotide 16S ribosomal RNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.