Combinatorial Study of Heavy Metal and Microbe Interactions and Resistance Mechanism Consort to Microbial System

Abstract

Increasing need of human being and anthropological activity directly destructs environment with release of enormous amount of heavy metals into the water body and food chain. The anthropological activities include agricultural practices, mining electroplating and copper smelting. The mitigation and management of heavy metals accumulating in marine water and lakes are of major concern. Immediate result of the heavy metal accumulation results in the DNA damage, generation of reactive oxygen species, inhibition of photosynthesis and respiration. To cope up with the heavy metals microbes have certain mechanism such as homeostasis, biotransformation, complexation and compartmentalization. In the stress, microbes adapt themselves by maintaining low inorganic content and generation of osmo-protective compounds. These mechanisms help to maintain essential macromolecules functional. The malfunctioning in the microbial system indicates toxicity of heavy metals in surrounding environment. The microbial system is sensitive to toxicity caused by the toxicants which are bioavailable and easily soluble in water.

Keywords:

• Detoxification
• environment
• heavy metal
• microbial interactions

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).