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Cadmium Uptake by Yeast, Candida tropicalis, Isolated from Industrial Effluents and Its Potential Use in Wastewater Clean-Up Operations

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Abstract

This study is aimed at assessing the ability of metal-resistant yeast, Candida tropicalis, to uptake cadmium from the liquid medium. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Cd2+ against C. tropicalis was 2,800 mg L−1. The yeast also showed tolerance towards Zn2+ (3,100 mg L−1), Ni2+ (3,000 mg L−1), Hg2+ (2,400 mg L−1), Cu2+ (2,300 mg L−1), Cr6+ (2,000 mg L−1), and Pb2+ (1,200 mg L−1). The yeast isolate showed typical growth curves, but low specific rate of growth was observed in the presence of cadmium. The yeast isolate showed optimum growth at 30°C and pH 7. The metal processing ability of the isolate was determined in a medium containing 100 mg L−1 of Cd2+. C. tropicalis could decline Cd2+ 57%, 69%, and 80% from the medium after 48, 96, and 144 h, respectively. C. tropicalis was also able to remove Cd2+ 56% and 73% from the wastewater after 6 and 12 days, respectively. Cd produced an increase in glutathione (GSH) and non-protein thiol levels by 146.15% and 59.67% at 100 mg L−1 concentration, respectively. Metal tolerance and accumulation together with changes in the GSH status and non-protein thiols under Cd exposure were studied in C. tropicalis.

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Acknowledgments

The technical assistance of Miss Sumbal Zulfiqar and atomic absorption spectrophotometer facilities provided by Dr. A.R. Shakoori (Director, School of Biological Sciences, Pakistan) are gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, New Campus, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan

    Abdul Rehman & Muhammad Sohail Anjum

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  1. Abdul Rehman
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Correspondence to Abdul Rehman.

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Rehman, A., Sohail Anjum, M. Cadmium Uptake by Yeast, Candida tropicalis, Isolated from Industrial Effluents and Its Potential Use in Wastewater Clean-Up Operations. Water Air Soil Pollut 205, 149–159 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-009-0062-4

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