An alternative approach of toxic heavy metal removal by Arthrobacter phenanthrenivorans: assessment of surfactant production and oxidative stress
The present study demonstrates the removal of three toxic heavy metals (lead, cadmium and nickel) by the bacterial strain Arthrobacter phenanthrenivorans from polluted water. The removal efficiency of heavy metals was recorded to be highest in case of lead (79.91%), followed by nickel (47.62%) and cadmium (34.05%). Furthermore, surfactant production by A. phenanthrenivorans was optimized, which is useful for different purposes like metal and oil removal from water. Partial characterization of the semi-purified surfactant was done for thermal stability, pH tolerance and metal ions sensitivity. Antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase and superoxide dismutase) and stress marker–malondialdehyde level were also determined in the presence of these three heavy metals.