Screening And Characterization Of Bacterial Strains That Can Affectively Remove Fluoride – An Attempt To Biosorption

Abstract

Fluoride is beneficial when its concentration is in permissible limit. Excess fluoride concentration in drinking water leads to various health problems like fluorosis. Various conventional techniques are employed for defluorination which have both advantages and disadvantages. In this regard an attempt of Biosorption techniques was done in the present study by using bacterial strains isolated from Baratang Island of Andaman &Nicobar. A total of 16 strains were screened from primary screening of 200 bacterial strains. Secondary screening of these 16 strains with four media, different physical conditions and incubation periods revealed five potential strains. Further analysis and field application of five potential strains found that the strains were capable of removing 50-70% of Fluoride under laboratory conditions. The strains were identified and characterized. The studies conclusively suggest that the five bacterial strains has the ability to reduce fluoride contamination and provide opportunities for further investigations that may lead to the development of a new Biosorption technique for addressing the high concentrations of fluoride in ground waters. The present study has also given much scope for further studies to consider the methodology for commercial exploitation with certain modifications depending on the location.