In Vitro Evaluation of the Remediation Capacity of Burkholderia Cepacia at different Arsenic Concentrations

Abstract

Arsenic (As) contamination in different water sources and soils represents a threat to human health, environment and biodiversity on the planet. The most frequent and most toxic forms of arsenic in nature are arsenate (V) and arsenite, the latter being the most mobile and toxic. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in vitro the tolerance capacity of endophytic bacteria isolated from yam crop tissues and identified as Burkholderia cepacia to different concentrations of AsCl3 and to determine qualitatively the ability to produce siderophores. B. cepacia grew up to 500 mg/L AsCl3 and also produced siderophore at different concentrations of Arsenic. The presence of B. cepacia associated with plant species in arsenic-contaminated environments may contribute to the removal and management of arsenic to reduce its toxicity.