Biosorbing Potentials of Pseudomonas aeruginosa SFP1 to Combat Cr(VI) Stress in Cicer Arietinum Seedlings

Abstract

Hexavalent chromium among metal pollutants is a major threat due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic impacts. Considering these, bacterial strain SFP1 was isolated from metal polluted soil (identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa using 16SrRNA gene sequencing) showed significant tolerance to Cr (VI) and displayed chromium reducing ability under variable environmental conditions. The dried biomass of SFP1 adsorbed chromium maximally at pH 6 and 30±20C which decreased consistently with increase in Cr concentration. The values obtained for chromium sorption bystrain SFP1 using both Langmuir (R2=0.992)and Freundlich isotherms (R2=0.999) were strongly and positively correlated. The surface functional groups of dried biomass detected by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups.Also SEM-EDX revealed significant deposition of Cr and modification of bacterial cells after Cr(VI) exposure. The chickpea seeds primed with SFP1 strain displayed enhanced germination compared with metal treated but uninoculated plants. The present study suggests that the bacteria removes chromium efficiently and hence, could be used for the management of industrial wastes and other environmental contaminants.