Bacterial Biomineralization: A Review and X-ray Diffraction Determination Table for Bacterial Biominerals

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of bacterial biomineralization, with an emphasis on the role of microorganisms in mineralization processes. The historical context and evolution of research on bacterial mineralization are explored, with particular focus on the challenges and advancements in identifying bacterial biominerals through X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The authors present an XRD Determination Table for bacterial biominerals to facilitate the rapid identification of minerals produced by bacteria. The review also discusses the complexities of bacterial-induced mineralization, particularly in differentiating between biologically controlled and induced processes. Additionally, experimental studies using free electron lasers to investigate the calcification potential of bacteria are described, revealing the formation of previously unreported mineral species. The findings highlight the diverse environmental conditions under which bacterial biomineralization occurs and suggest potential for discovering new biominerals through innovative experimental approaches. This work serves as a valuable resource for researchers in geomicrobiology and related fields, providing essential data and insights for future studies on microbial interactions with minerals.