Method and bioreactor for enzymatic metal cation reduction in solution

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of removing metal cations from a metal cation-containing solution. The method comprises the steps of attaching cells having metal reductase activity to a first surface of a support in a reaction vessel, supplying hydrogen to the cells, and exposing the metal cation-containing solution to the cells during step (ii) so as to effect enzymatic reduction of the metal cations to solid metal particles. The invention also resides in a bioreactor constructed and adapted for the enzymatic reduction of metal cations in solution. The bioreactor comprises a reaction vessel (2) adapted to receive a metal cation-containing solution and a support (22) within the reaction vessel (2). The support has a first surface which is adapted to have live cells having metal reductase activity attached thereto. The bioreactor also comprises a source of hydrogen (20, 22, 24, 26) and means (22) for supplying hydrogen to the cells in use.