IMPACT OF MURCURY HEAVY METAL ON THE GROWTH OF ESCHERICHIA COLI (E.COLI)

Abstract

The utilization of heavy metals in several agricultural and industrial processes is expanding dramatically, posing a severe hazard to human and ecosystem health from heavy metal contamination from natural and anthropogenic sources. A significant exposure source that results in the buildup of hazardous heavy metals in people, plants, and livestock is contaminated water. Mercury, lead, copper, cadmium, chromium, and copper are among the key metals of public health concern. Mercury is a heavy element that pollutes marine environments due to both natural and human-caused activities that release waste products into the sea. Mercury waste can be produced by the cosmetic sector, electronics, paint industry, dental industry, gold extraction sector, also many more. Humans are exposed to mercury not just through environmental pollution but also through the use of cosmetic chemicals, consumption of foods and beverages that contain mercury, or by direct contact with mercury-containing items. Due to exposure of mercury, bacteria strive to protect themselves by withdrawing the metal so that they can survive in conditions where mercury is present. The genes of bacteria that attempt to protect themselves from environmental mercury exposure alter, making them mercury-resistant bacteria. In this study,the bacteria was allowed to grow in the media containing mercury and was observed that with the subsequent days, it was thriving. The growth curve was made in the presence of mercury using UV spectrophotometry. It was also observed that at minute concentrations, mercury seems to be an inducer for the bacteria E.coli. It was analyzed by HPLC, where the bacteria was found to produce high amounts of citric acid at lower concentrations so as to thrive in the environment containing mercury. Total enzyme activity was analyzed by an FDA assay.