Iron Related Bacteria
IRB-BART™

The iron-related bacteria (IRB) are bacteria that are iron-utilizing. They are an important part of the MIC-causing group, because they are able to build tubercles and have many redox (reduction--oxidation) reactions that support SRB and other MIC bacteria. They are also responsible, in many cases, for the destructive corrosive process of iron and steel. The form of iron utilization can range from simply a passive bioaccumulation

 
 in the slime growths (biofilm) through to active use in metabolism. This test uses the bacteria's ability to use ferric and ferrous iron in many ways to create various reactions, some of which are colored. It is now understood that some of the IRB may be able to derive respiratory or energy functions out of the reduction (ferrous) to oxidation (ferric) manipulations that occur through the activity of the IRB. The IRB have a symbiotic relationship with other bacteria species and can contribute to very complex life cycles within a colony of bacteria. Their relationship with SRB is very well founded.