M. ILAMATHI, T. MAHALAKSHMI AND T.B. SRIDHARAN
Abstract
This study is primarily conducted in order to determine the tolerance level of microbes to chromium ions. Here a prokaryotic organism (E. coli) as well as a eukaryotic microorganism (Saccharomyces cereviceae) has been taken for the study. When chromium concentration increases, a significant reduction in the growth of microbial populations has been observed in E. coli. These E. coli populations were under high fluctuation where as in S. cereviceae significant level of tolerance to chromium has been observed. Chromium concentration of 3 to 4 fold higher is required to inhibit the growth of the S. cereviceae than E. co/i. The present study indicates that the chromium tolerance level in eukaryotes is several fold higher when compared to prokaryotes.