Isolation and identification of heavy metal tolerant fungi from industrial effluents metal dumping sites and wastewater of Solan region

Abstract

newline ABSTRACT newlineHeavy metal tolerant fungi were isolated from the soil samples of industrial effluents, metal dumping sites and sludge by serial dilution method on Potato dextrose agar. These fungi were identified on the basis of morphology of mycelium (color of mycelium, texture) on media, and microscopic examination of LCB stained preparation. Aspergillus flavus (n=4), Aspergillus niger (n=7), Aspergillus terreus (n=3), Aspergillus parasiticus (n=4), Penicillium chrysogenum (n=4), Rhizomucor miehei (n=3). The growth of the fungi was observed in the maximum concentration of 16mM, 12mM, 12mM and 10mM respectively of Zinc, cobalt, Cadmium and Lead. Such strains of fungi can be useful in the remediation of heavy metals in soil and water. Interestingly, the crude, diethyl ether and methanolic extracts of Aspergillus flavus, Rhizomucor miehei and Penicillium chrysogenum exhibited bacteriocidal activity against clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus recovered from urinary tract infection of patients. The results of inhibitory activity of different antifungal agents on the fungal strains will also be presented.