Abstract

ALESSANDRELLO, Mauricio J  and  VULLO, Diana L. Economical fermentation media for the production of a whole cell catalyst for the treatment of Cr(VI)-containing wastewaters. Rev. argent. microbiol. [online]. 2016, vol.48, n.3, pp.245-251. ISSN 0325-7541.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ram.2016.04.001.

The biotechnology sector is continually seeking sustainable and more economical bioprocesses. Fermentation media produced with cheap components or wastes reduce production costs. Moreover, if wastes are used, they contribute to avoid environmental pollution. In this work, microbial growth media based on molasses or acidified glycerol as carbon sources and fertilizer as nitrogen source were tested for the production of a whole-cell catalyst that could be used in Cr(VI)-containing wastewater treatments. Results showed that the highest biomass production yield was obtained with a medium containing acidified glycerol 5% v/v and fertilizer 0.6% v/v. The biomass produced using this medium was immobilized in calcium alginate beads and used as catalyst in the biotransformation of Cr(VI) into Cr(III). The catalyst could be efficiently used for 5 reduction cycles of 40 mg/l Cr(VI) each. Cr(III) retention assays were performed to determine whether Cr(III) could be retained by the catalyst avoiding its solubilization in the supernatants. The retention capacity of the catalyst at 32 °C and pH 3.0 was 3 mg Cr(III)/g. Both an alternative and economical fermentation medium is here proposed for the optimization of Cr(VI)-containing wastewater treatment.

Keywords : Bioprocess; Fermentation; Biotransformation; Chromium; Pseudomonas.

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