HARNESSING NATIVE PAENIBACILLUS LAUTUS FROM INDUSTRIAL SOIL FOR SUSTAINABLE BIOREMEDIATION OF HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM

Heavy metal pollution due to Industrial and mining activities remains a major environment challenge. Among various pollutants, hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]is highly toxic, soluble and carcinogenic. This study focused on bioremediation through isolation & screening of chromium-resistant bacteria from the mining soils of Hardi Bazar, Korba (C.G.) India. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method was applied to select the bacterial isolate with maximum tolerance against hexavalent chromium. The isolate which displayed maximum tolerance up to 900 ppm was sent for molecular identification via 16S rRNA gene sequencing using an Applied Bio systems 3730xl Genetic Analyser. The analysis confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Paenibacillus with closest resemblance to Paenibacillus lautus. Further analysis using UV-Visible Spectrophotometry confirmed that this bacterium successfully reduced 24.17 % Cr(VI) from broth within 3 days of incubation .These results prove that Paenibacillus lautus has strong potential for cleaning up chromium-polluted soil .