Resistance of Bacillus cereus and E. coli Towards Lead, Copper, Iron, Manganese and Arsenic
Abstract: In present study, drinking ground water of different sectors of Islamabad was analyzed. Twenty-three water samples were collected in sterile bottles from different tube wells located in various sectors of Islamabad. These water samples were observed microbiologically for total viable count (TVC) and coliform count by heterotrophicplate count and MPN method, respectively. Different pathogenic bacteria were isolated and identified. Water samples of tube well number 101 and 138 were found to be contaminated and showed the presence of E.coli while the all other tube wells were contaminated with B. cereus. These bacterial species were isolated and then the tolerance of these isolated strains were checked in the presence of metals like Pb, Cu, Fe, Mn and As at different concentration (from 0.5 to 10 ppm). Results revealed that these bacteria successfully survive in these toxic conditions. As shown in results that E.coli has the ability to survive at 10 ppm of As but B. cereus can survive at 10 ppm of Mn and As. While no growth of E.coli and B. cereus was observed at 10 ppm of other metals like Pb, Cu and Fe.
Resistance of Bacillus cereus and E. coli Towards Lead, Copper, Iron, Manganese and Arsenic. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 7: 6-9.