Reduction of phytotoxicity media with Pb2+ ions using the culture of bacillibactin-producing bacterium Bacillus velezensis

Abstract

The use of plants and siderophores-producing microorganisms are the approaches to bioremediation of the environment polluted by heavy metals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of bacterium Bacillus velezensis strain NUChC C2b to reduce the toxicity of Pb2+-containing solution. The phytotoxicity of Pb2+ solutions were evaluated by the biotesting methods with garden cress (seed germination energy, seed germination, biometric and morphometric indicators of seedlings) both in the presence of one toxicant and in a complex with the culture of bacillibactin-producing bacterium B. velezensis strain NUChC C2b; phytotoxic indices were calculated. The significance and novelty of the obtained results lie in establishing reduction in the toxicity of aqueous lead salt solutions using the culture of the bacillibactin-producing bacterium B. velezensis strain NUChC C2b, the list of bacterial species-bioremediation agents has been expanded. B. velezensis strain NUChC C2b is promising for bioremediation of environments contaminated with lead, and can be effective at concentrations of Pb2+ up to 0.57 mg/L and in combination with stronger bioremediation agents.