An investigation on tolerance and accumulation of a facultative marine fungus Aspergillus flavus to pentavalent arsenic

Abstract

Tolerance of a facultative marine fungus Aspergillus flavus towards As (V) was tested. Luxuriant growth of the test isolate was observed in culture media with As (V) concentrations of 25 mg L−1 and 50 mg L−1, indicating its tolerance to the metal. Accumulation rate of arsenic was always higher when exposed to As (V) at 50 mg L−1 than at 25 mg L−1. The study reveals Aspergillus flavus as a promising candidate for environmental bioremediation. Arsenic contents (mg g−1) in the fungus when exposed to 50 mg L−1 As (V) were measured as 11.1773, 4.0983, and 8.0000 mg g−1 on day 3, 6 and 9, respectively. The highest content was observed initially, i.e. on day 3, followed by a decline and a rise again. These results provide baseline information for further explorations regarding the exploitation of the fungus for arsenic removal.