Biological nano-mineralization of Ce phosphate by

Jiang, M.; Onuki, Toshihiko; Kozai, Naofumi   ; Tanaka, Kazuya  ; Suzuki, Yoshinori*; Sakamoto, Fuminori  ; Kamiishi, Eigo*; Utsunomiya, Satoshi*

We have investigated the mechanism underlying Ce sequestration by yeast after exposure to Ce(III) solution at pH 3, 4, or 5. We found that needle-shaped Ce(III) phosphate nanocrystallites with a monazite structure formed on the yeast cells by exposure to Ce(III) for 42 h, even though the initial solutions did not contain any P species. These results suggest that the sorbed Ce on the cell surfaces reacted with P released from inside the yeast cell, resulting in the formation of Ce(III) phosphate nanocrystallites.