ArticleScientific reports2026
Microbially induced calcite precipitation by a novel alkaliphilic Bacillus albus strain for sustainable self-healing bio-mortar with enhanced mechanical performance and durability.
Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Micro-crack formation is a major factor limiting the durability of concrete structures. This study investigates a sustainable self-healing approach based on microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP). Fifty bacterial isolates were obtained from alkaline soils in Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt, and screened for their ability to precipitate calcium carbonate. Isolate code W39 exhibited the highest activity, producing 0.453 g/100 mL of CaCO₃. Molecular identification by 16 S rRNA sequencing confirmed the strain as Bacillus albus (Accession number: PQ288981). Optimal precipitation occurred at pH 8, with 25 mM CaCl₂ and 20 g/L urea, after seven days of incubation at 30 °C. Instrumental analyses, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with an energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the N₂ desorption/adsorption isotherm (BET) method, verified that the biogenic CaCO₃ consisted of nanoscale, high-purity calcite. The self-healing potential was evaluated by embedding viable Bacillus albus cells in cement mortar at optical densities (OD₆₀₀) of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5, and curing in urea-enriched media with varying CaCl₂ concentrations (25-100 mM). Bacterial incorporation significantly enhanced mechanical performance over a 90-day curing period. The optimal dosage depended on Ca²⁺ availability: OD₆₀₀ 1.5 provided the greatest improvement at 25 mM CaCl₂, whereas OD₆₀₀ 0.5 was more effective at 50-100 mM. Microstructural analyses, comprising x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal/thermogravimetric analysis (DTG/TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confirmed the formation of additional C-S-H and calcite, resulting in reduced porosity and a denser matrix. The bio-mortar also demonstrated increased durability, including resistance to exposure to MgSO₄ and MgCl₂, as well as thermal stability up to 1000 °C. These findings demonstrate that the indigenous Bacillus albus strain is a promising agent for durable, self-healing bio-concrete. Overall, these results show that microbial incorporation improves the pore system, encourages the formation of more hydrates and CaCO
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