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Chromium recycling of tannery waste through microbial fermentation

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Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology

Abstract

An Aspergillus carbonarius isolate, selected from an established microbial culture collection, was used to study the biodegradation of chromium shavings in solid-state fermentation experiments. Approximately 97% liquefaction of the tannery waste was achieved and the liquid obtained from long-term experiments was used to recover chromium. The resulting alkaline chromium sulfate solution was useful in tanning procedures. A proteinaceous liquid was also obtained which has potential applications as a fertilizer or animal feed additive and has several other industrial uses. The A. carbonarius strain proved to be a very useful tool in tannery waste-treatment processes and chromium recovery in the tanning industries.

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Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge support from the Hellenic Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works (grant ETERPS, 70/3/4391).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, 157 81, Athens, Greece

    E. A. Katsifas, E. Giannoutsou, M. Lambraki & A. D. Karagouni

  2. ELKEDE Technology and Design Center S.A., 144 52, Athens, Greece

    M. Barla

Authors
  1. E. A. Katsifas
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  2. E. Giannoutsou
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  3. M. Lambraki
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  4. M. Barla
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  5. A. D. Karagouni
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Correspondence to A. D. Karagouni.

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Katsifas, E.A., Giannoutsou, E., Lambraki, M. et al. Chromium recycling of tannery waste through microbial fermentation. J IND MICROBIOL BIOTECHNOL 31, 57–62 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-004-0115-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-004-0115-z

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