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Bioremediation of heavy metals polluted environment and decolourization of black liquor using microbial biofilms

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Abstract

Background

With increased urbanization and industrialization, modern life has led to an anthropogenic impact on the biosphere. Heavy metals pollution and pollutants from black liquor (BL) have caused severe effects on environment and living organisms. Bacterial biofilm has potential to remediate heavy metals and remove BL from the environment. Hence, this study was planned to investigate the potential of microbial biofilms for the bioremediation of heavy metals and BL polluted environments.

Methods and results

Eleven biofilm forming bacterial strains (SB1, SB2, SC1, AF1, 5A, BC-1, BC-2, BC-3, BC-4, BC-5 and BC-6) were isolated and identified upto species level via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Biofilm strains belonging to Bacillus and Lysinibacillus sphaericus were used to remediate heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Co). Atomic absorption spectroscopy showed significantly high (P ≤ 0.05) bioremediation potential by L. sphaericus biofilm (1462.0 ± 0.67 µgmL−1) against zinc (Zn). Similarly, Pseudomonas putida biofilm significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decolourized (65.1%) BL. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of treated heavy metals showed the shifting of major peaks (1637 & 1629–1647, 1633 & 1635–1643, and 1638–1633 cm−1) corresponding to specific amide groups due to C = O stretching.

Conclusion

The study suggested that biofilm of the microbial flora from tanneries and pulp paper effluents possesses a strong potential for heavy metals bioremediation and BL decolourization. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing promising biofilm remediation potential of bacterial flora of tanneries and pulp-paper effluent from Kasur and Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan, against heavy metals and BL.

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Data availability

All data related to article is available in manuscript.

Abbreviations

FTIR:

Fourier transform infrared

CRA:

Congo red assay

BL:

Black liquor

EPS:

Extra polysaccharide

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid

rRNA:

Ribosomal ribonucleic acid

OD:

Optical density

UV:

Ultraviolet

U/µL:

Unit per microliter

(cm− 1):

Reciprocal centimetre

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

SEM:

Standard error of the mean

Rpm:

Revolution per minute

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiology Lab, Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

    Iram Liaqat, Noor Muhammad & Chand Raza

  2. Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

    Chaman Ara

  3. Department of Botany, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan

    Uzma Hanif

  4. Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan

    Saiqa Andleeb

  5. University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, CVAS, Jhang Campus, Jhang, Pakistan

    Muhammad Arshad

  6. Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

    Muhammad Nauman Aftab

  7. Centre of Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Mubin

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  1. Iram Liaqat
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Contributions

Conceptualization: [IL]; Methodology [NM]; Formal analysis and investigation: [IL, CA, MA, CR, MNA]; Writing—original draft preparation: [IL, NM] Writing—review and editing: [IL, UH, SA, MM, MNA]; Supervision: [IL].

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Correspondence to Iram Liaqat.

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Liaqat, I., Muhammad, N., Ara, C. et al. Bioremediation of heavy metals polluted environment and decolourization of black liquor using microbial biofilms. Mol Biol Rep 50, 3985–3997 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-023-08334-3

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