Phosphate solubilization

Phosphate solubilization is a critical biological and chemical process by which insoluble forms of phosphorus, such as tricalcium phosphate, iron phosphate, or aluminum phosphate, are converted into soluble orthophosphates (H2PO4- and HPO42-) that are bioavailable for plant uptake (Alori et al., 2017). This process is primarily carried out by Phosphate-Solubilizing Microorganisms (PSMs), including bacteria like Pseudomonas and Bacillus, and various fungi, which employ mechanisms such as the secretion of organic acids to lower soil pH and the production of phosphatase enzymes to mineralize organic phosphorus (Kalayu, 2019; Sharma et al., 2013). As a complex multi-step metabolic pathway involving various microbial species and environmental factors, phosphate solubilization does not constitute a single therapeutic target molecule or receptor in human medicine. Instead, it is a focal point of agricultural biotechnology and soil science aimed at reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers and improving sustainable crop yields (Bargaz et al., 2021). Consequently, there are no known human drugs or clinical disease roles associated with this process, as its primary relevance lies in ecosystem nutrient cycling and plant physiology.

Other names

Mineral phosphate solubilizationPhosphorus solubilizationP-solubilizationMicrobial phosphate mobilization

Not applicable as this is a metabolic process, not a therapeutic target.