Absorption and Reduction of Chromium by Fungi

Biosorption has gained increased attention as a reliable and proven technology for the remediation of industrial effluents rich in chromium. The present study was planned to isolate potential fungi from effluents contaminated sites and assess their efficiency for the absorption and reduction of chromium. Two species of Aspergillus and a species of Trichoderma which were isolated from contaminated sites and exhibited resistance to 10 mM of chromium on agar were chosen for the study. A biosorbent was designed by growing these fungal isolates on luffa sponge under shaken condition. The absorption and reduction of chromium, by the designed biosorbent was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and UV Visible Spectrophotometer. Actively growing fungi on luffa sponge showed better absorption (21%-25%) and reduction (28%-35%) capacity when compared to heat killed biosorbent in all fungi tested within 24 h of incubation. Interestingly, there was a liner increase in the absorption and reduction (85%-100%) of chromium by the biosorbent designed by using A. niger.