Study of potential capacity for Cr(VI) reduction by Staphylococcus gallinarum strain VIII1 immobilized, resting and permeabilized.

Bioremediation uses microorganisms to detoxify or remove pollution. This paper reports a study to evaluate the efficacy of removing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) using a metal-resistant bacterium. Molecular identification reveals it to be Staphylococcus gallinarum strain VIII1. This can reduce 100 mg/L of Cr(VI) after 72 h at pH 7 and 30°C. Abatement rate is increased in the presence of glucose, glycerol and copper ions. Immobilised cells in sodium alginate beads showed a high reduction efficiency compared to free cells. Bioreduction by resting and permeabilized cells confirms that this strain removes chromate ions by an enzymatic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]