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Bioremoval of hexavalent chromium from water by a salt tolerant bacterium, Exiguobacterium sp. GS1

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology

Abstract

Pollution of terrestrial surfaces and aquatic systems by hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), is a worldwide public health problem. A chromium resistant bacterial isolate identified as Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 by 16S rRNA gene sequencing displayed high rate of removal of Cr(VI) from water. Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 is 99% identical to Exiguobacterium acetylicum. The isolate significantly removed Cr(VI) at both high and low concentrations (1–200 μg mL−1) within 12 h. The Michaelis–Menten K m and V max for Cr(VI) bioremoval were calculated to be 141.92 μg mL−1 and 13.22 μg mL−1 h−1, respectively. Growth of Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 was indifferent at 1–75 μg mL−1 Cr(VI) in 12 h. At initial concentration of 8,000 μg L−1, Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 displayed rapid bioremoval of Cr(VI) with over 50% bioremoval in 3 h and 91% bioremoval in 8 h. Kinetic analysis of Cr(VI) bioremoval rate revealed zero-order in 8 h. Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 grew and significantly reduced Cr(VI) in cultures containing 1–9% salt indicating high salt tolerance. Similarly the isolate substantially reduced Cr(VI) over a wide range of temperature (18–45  °C) and initial pH (6.0–9.0). The T opt and initial pHopt were 35–40  °C and 7–8, respectively. Exiguobacterium sp. GS1 displayed a great potential for bioremediation of Cr(VI) in diverse complex environments.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Shakena Crenshaw, Jeffery Laymon, Charles Oji, Mark Losi and Pete Hall. This study was in part supported from Auburn University Montgomery faculty grant-in-aid, the School of Sciences start-up fund and a grant from Ecomat Inc CA.

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  1. Department of Biology, Auburn University Montgomery, P.O. Box 244023, Montgomery, AL, 36124, USA

    Benedict C. Okeke

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Okeke, B.C. Bioremoval of hexavalent chromium from water by a salt tolerant bacterium, Exiguobacterium sp. GS1. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 35, 1571–1579 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-008-0399-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-008-0399-5

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