Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
197,768 studies31 sourcesUpdated 1 h ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0PLOS One

Unraveling the biochemical and kinetic mechanisms of potassium solubilization from biotite by a Burkholderia strain

  • Zihan Dong1
  • Lei Zhang2
  • Yue Miao
  • Yun Chen
  • Lihong Liu
  • Lufan Qiu
  1. 1School of Earth Science, Northeast Petroleum University, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China
  2. 2The sixth oil production plant, Daqing OILFIELD Limited Company, Daqing, Heilongjiang, China
Open at sourcePDFDOICite

Abstract

Potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) represent a sustainable strategy for enhancing soil K bioavailability through the dissolution of K-bearing minerals, thereby facilitating nutrient cycling. However, the multifaceted biochemical mechanisms driving mineral weathering remain partially understood. The present study explores the K solubilization characteristic and mechanisms of KSB by analyzing the organic acids they metabolize and their interactions with mineral surfaces. Over 30 d, the strain S1 classified to genus Burkholderia achieved a maximum soluble K+ concentration of 39.8 mg/L, representing a 4.5-fold increase over abiotic controls. Mechanistic analysis revealed a synergistic “dual-attack” strategy: continuous acidification (pH 6.42 to 3.82) promoted proton-driven K+ release, while the dominant secretion of citric and malic acids facilitated ligand-mediated complexation of structural cations, destabilizing the aluminosilicate framework. Additionally, the temporal accumulation of polar and acidic amino acids likely served as biogenic regulators, enhancing bacteria-mineral adhesion and interface interactions. Scanning electron microscopy corroborated these chemical findings, revealing extensive surface etch pits and edge exfoliation. These results suggest that the synergistic interaction of proton attack, ligand-mediated chelation, and amino acid-assisted micro-environment regulation drives mineral weathering. This study provides a comprehensive structural framework for KSB-mediated nutrient mobilization, highlighting the potential of Burkholderia as an efficient bio-fertilizer for potassium-deficient soils.

Related

  1. Unraveling novel bioactive phytoconstituents from Annona squamosa L. and their mechanisms of action for the relief from rheumatoid arthritis: an integrated network pharmacology, docking and MD simulations approach
    Mohammad Jane Alam, Md. Reaz Morshed, Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury +2
    In Silico PharmacologyPeer-reviewedLicence not statedFull textGeneral biochemistryPMC
  2. Structural and kinetic mechanisms of state-dependent potassium channel inhibition
    Efthimios Kyriakis, Agnese Roscioni, Jodene Eldstrom +8
    Science AdvancesPeer-reviewedCC BYMolecular biology & gene regulationCrossref
  3. Unraveling the pyroptosis-mitophagy axis: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities
    Jiaqi Ban, Ranxing Chen, Lihong Ao +4
    Frontiers in ImmunologyPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textMolecular biology & gene regulationCrossrefEurope PMCPMC
  4. Unraveling the gut microbiota-brain axis: Mechanisms, pathophysiology, and therapeutic opportunities
    Changsheng Jiang, Wedad M. Nageeb, Shumaila Batool +11
    iSciencePeer-reviewedCC BY12 citedMolecular biology & gene regulationOpenAlex
  5. Losing the split ends: unraveling the mechanisms of fiber branching during blood clot formation
    A. Elangovan, D. M. Miller, C. Cai +8
    bioRxivPreprintCC BY-NC-NDFull textBiophysicsbioRxiv

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{dong2026unraveling,
  title = {{Unraveling the biochemical and kinetic mechanisms of potassium solubilization from biotite by a Burkholderia strain}},
  author = {Zihan Dong and Lei Zhang and Yue Miao and Yun Chen and Lihong Liu and Lufan Qiu},
  journal = {PLOS One},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0360380},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360380},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Unraveling the biochemical and kinetic mechanisms of potassium solubilization from biotite by a Burkholderia strain
AU  - Zihan Dong
AU  - Lei Zhang
AU  - Yue Miao
AU  - Yun Chen
AU  - Lihong Liu
AU  - Lufan Qiu
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/09
JO  - PLOS One
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pone.0360380
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0360380
AB  - Potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) represent a sustainable strategy for enhancing soil K bioavailability through the dissolution of K-bearing minerals, thereby facilitating nutrient cycling. However, the multifaceted biochemical mechanisms driving mineral weathering remain partially understood. The present study explores the K solubilization characteristic and mechanisms of KSB by analyzing the organic acids they metabolize and their interactions with mineral surfaces. Over 30 d, the strain S1 classified to genus Burkholderia achieved a maximum soluble K+ concentration of 39.8 mg/L, representing a 4.5-fold increase over abiotic controls. Mechanistic analysis revealed a synergistic “dual-attack” strategy: continuous acidification (pH 6.42 to 3.82) promoted proton-driven K+ release, while the dominant secretion of citric and malic acids facilitated ligand-mediated complexation of structural cations, destabilizing the aluminosilicate framework. Additionally, the temporal accumulation of polar and acidic amino acids likely served as biogenic regulators, enhancing bacteria-mineral adhesion and interface interactions. Scanning electron microscopy corroborated these chemical findings, revealing extensive surface etch pits and edge exfoliation. These results suggest that the synergistic interaction of proton attack, ligand-mediated chelation, and amino acid-assisted micro-environment regulation drives mineral weathering. This study provides a comprehensive structural framework for KSB-mediated nutrient mobilization, highlighting the potential of Burkholderia as an efficient bio-fertilizer for potassium-deficient soils.
SN  - 1932-6203
ER  -