STUDIES ON HEAVY METAL TOLERANCE OF FUNGAL ISOLATES FROM SOIL SAMPLES OF JABALPUR REGION

Author(s): N Jhariya and S Pathak*

Abstract: The presence of heavy metals in the environment has been a subject of great concern due to their toxicity and non-biodegradable nature. The fungal biomass can act as bio-sorbent for the removal of heavy metals and radio nuclides from polluted waste materials. In the present study, the heavy metal tolerant fungi were recovered from soil samples of iron workshop site and waste dumping sites of Jabalpur region. A total of 26 isolates were obtained in the present study and were then assessed for their growth in presence of heavy metals like Cr, Co, Hg, Zn and Mn. Among the fungal isolates, Aspergillus species Penicillium species and Cephalosporium species showed tolerance with the heavy metals used. The determination of heavy metal tolerance of Aspergillus sp, Penicillum sp and Cephalosporium sp was done at concentration range (100mM- 500mM) for Cr, Cu, Hg, Zn and Mn respectively. It was found that the tolerance limit of Aspergillus species to be 19mm in case of 120mM Cr, Penicillium species showed tolerance limit of 7mm with 160mM Cu and Cephalosporium species showed 21mm with 180mM Cr. The results suggest potential of soil mycotic flora of Jabalpur region for the removal of heavy metal from different sites.

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