Immobilization of Pseudomonas putida PT in resistant matrices to environmental stresses: a strategy for continuous removal of heavy metals under extreme conditions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of immobilized lead- and cadmium-resistant Pseudomonas putida strain PT to remove heavy metals from aqueous medium under extreme conditions. The tolerance and accumulation of cadmium and lead ions by strain PT were investigated by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cadA gene, respectively. The surface chemical functional groups of P. putida PT involved in the metal biosorption were identified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Pseudomonas putida PT was immobilized in three matrices include carboxy-methyl cellulose (CMC), rice bran, and a new composite made of alginate, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and CaCO3 to prepare heavy metal adsorbent. The biosorbents were analyzed by SEM, and their metal removal capability was assayed in two consecutive cycles by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The viability of immobilized bacterial cells was determined by flow cytometry during storage at 4 °C and exposure to the environmental stresses (pH and temperature). The results showed that PT strain was resistant up to 10 mM Pb2+ and 8 mM Cd2+. FTIR analysis revealed that alcohol, sulfur, phosphate, esters, and amide groups played important roles in metal biosorption process and, also change in metabolic reactions like hydration and polyesters accumulation was observed after metal biosorption. The presence of cadA gene, a heavy metal translocating pump-coding gene, indicated the ability of metals bioaccumulation by the PT strain. Immobilized cells in alginate–PVA–CaCO3 and rice bran showed the highest metal removal efficiency for Pb2+ as 75% and Cd2+ as 96.7%, respectively. Metal adsorbents were reusable, and the highest removal efficiency in the second cycle was observed in inoculated alginate–PVA–CaCO3 (79.5% Pb2+ and 45% Cd2+). Flow cytometric analysis represented that the immobilized cell viability was retained (< 97%) after 4 weeks storage at 4 °C. Viability under two environmental stresses in all matrices was as follows: < 96% at 25 °C, < 87% at 45 °C, < 85% at pH 4, < 96% at pH 7, and < 89% at pH 11. The results signify that these metal adsorbents are efficient technological tools for bioremediation even in harsh environmental conditions.