Metallophores Production by Bacteria Isolated From Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil and Sediment at Lerma-chapala Basin

Abstract Environmental pollution derived from heavy metals (HMs) is a worldwide problem and the implementation of eco-friendly technologies for remediation of the pollution are necessary. The metallophores are low-molecular weight compounds that have important biotechnological applications in agriculture, medicine and biorremediation. The aim of this work was to isolate the HM resistant bacteria from soils and sediments of Lerma-Chapala basin, and to evaluate their abilities to produce metallophores and to promote plant growth. A total of 320 bacteria were recovered, and the siderophores synthesis was detected in cultures of 170 of the total isolates. The Lerma-Chapala Basin bacteria also produced metallophores for all the tested metal ions and presented a greater production of As3+ metallophores. The members in genera Delftia and Pseudomonas showed siderophores production above 92 percent siderophore units (psu). In addition, the hydroxamate was the most common fuctional group among the analyzed siderophores. Also, the bacteria showed high HM resistance especially to Zn2+, As5+ and Ni2+. Our results evidenced that Lerma-Chapala basin bacteria or their metallophores could be employed in biorremediation process or may even have potential for applications in other biotechnological purposes.