Developed biofilm-based biofertilizer as a bioremediation agent for agroecosystem and environment contaminated with Cr (VI)

Abstract

Biofilm are microbial community that attaches to one substrate and another through EPS. Functional microbes in biofilm can be used as a biofertilizer which increase plant growth by providing nutrients and plant resistance to pathogens due to agricultural environmental degradation. Beside being a biofertilizer, biofilm can be developed as a bioremediation agent. Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) is a heavy metal that is widely used in the leather tanning, pharmaceutical and metallurgical industries, so it is easily found in irrigation and causes agricultural land pollution. Chrome can be toxic to microorganisms, plants, animals and humans, because it is carcinogenic, causes ecosystem damage and has a negative impact on human health. Various techniques are used to remediate Cr (VI), one method that can be used is bioremediation by exploiting the potential of bacteri or fungi incorporated in the biofilm. In this study, the biofilm consisted of bacterial and fungi (BFBF) that were found on the western slopes of Mount Lawu. The Cr (VI) reduction test was carried out at concentrations of 5 and 50 mg L−1. The results showed that the biofilm was able to reduce Cr (VI) up to 1.19 mg L−1within 6 hours.