Characterization of industrial effluent samples and evaluation of heavy metal removal by Pseudomonas plecoglossicida and Serratia marcescens isolated from extreme environmental conditions

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Research Paper 16/08/2026
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Characterization of industrial effluent samples and evaluation of heavy metal removal by Pseudomonas plecoglossicida and Serratia marcescens isolated from extreme environmental conditions

Jeyadevi Kadarkarai, Daffodil Achsah Miraclyn Selvaprasad, Vasanthy Muthunarayanan*
Int. J. Biosci. 29(2), 140-155, August 2026.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2026; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Industrial wastewater contains metals that require effective removal before discharge, making bacterial treatment a relevant approach for investigation. This study characterized effluents from rice mill and automobile industries in Tiruchirappalli and food processing and dyeing industries in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, and evaluated metal removal by two bacterial isolates. Physicochemical parameters were analysed using standard procedures, and chromium, copper and zinc concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The isolates, identified through partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida KMJ01 (C1) and Serratia marcescens KMJ03 (C2), were applied separately to each effluent at 5% (v/v) and incubated for 24 h at 150 rpm. Effluent pH ranged from 6.3 to 10.6, total solids from 350 to 4,450 mg/L, and chemical oxygen demand from 840 to 1,760 mg/L. Zinc removal ranged from 94.3% to 97.5% with C1 and from 89.6% to 98.5% with C2. C1 achieved 98.9% chromium removal in food processing effluent, while C2 achieved 97.8% in automobile effluent. Both isolates removed 99.3% of copper from rice mill effluent. In dyeing effluent, copper removal differed markedly, reaching 96.8% with C1 and 25.9% with C2. These findings identify both isolates as candidates for further evaluation, with performance depending on the metal and wastewater matrix. Controlled, replicated studies are needed to establish removal mechanisms and practical treatment feasibility.

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