Abstract: Microorganisms are used in large-scale heap or tank aeration processes for the commercial extraction of a variety of metals from their ores or concentrates. These include copper, cobalt, gold and, in the past, uranium. The metal solubilization processes are considered to be largely chemical with the microorganisms providing the chemicals and the space (exopolysaccharide layer) where the mineral dissolution reactions occur. Temperatures at which these processes are carried out can vary from ambient to 80° C. and the types of organisms present depends to a large extent on the process temperature used. Irrespective of the operation temperature, biomining microbes have several characteristics in common. One shared characteristic is their ability to produce the ferric iron and sulfuric acid required to degrade the mineral and facilitate metal recovery. Other characteristics are their ability to grow autotrophically, their acid-tolerance and their inherent metal resistance or ability to acquire metal resistance.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method to detect and identify microorganisms that are present in a sample, which comprises hybridizing total DNA isolated from the sample with DNA fragments from regions that codifies for tRNA-synthases, hereinafter ‘tRNA-synthases’, said fragments being selected due to their specificity for each taxon to be detected and identified. Furthermore, an array for detection and identification of microorganisms is disclosed, which comprises at least one tRNA-synthase fragment bound to its surface that is specific for each taxon to be detected and identified and has been designed according to the method described in the present document.

Abstract: Articles comprising fabric softening compositions and detergent compositions are useful in providing cleaning and softening benefits to laundry through the wash cycle.