Bacterial Mediated Bio-degradation of Chromium Cr(VI) and Relative Effects of Varying Temperature and pH on Degradation Potential

Abstract

During present study, three bacterial strains viz; Brevibacterium, Ochrobacterium intermedium and Bacillus cereus were isolated from tanneries and electroplating industrial effluents from Kasur, Pakistan and were screened and utilized for In-vitro bio-degradation of toxic chromium. Different temperature and pH ranges were investigated for maximum chromium reduction. Ochrobacterium intermedium was found to be more efficient in reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) as compared to B. cereus and Brevibacterium. The growth responses of bacterial strains to environmental stresses were also observed.