Heavy metal biosorption and its significance to metal tolerance of streptomycetes

Heavy metal adsorptions of four streptomycetes were compared with each other. Among the test strains, Streptomyces viridochromogenes showed the most efficient metal binding activity, which was carried out by cell wall as well as freeze-dried mycelium. An order of adsorption potential (zinc > copper > lead > cadmium) was observed in single metal reactions, whereas this adsorption order was disturbed in mixed-metal reactions. The metal adsorption reactions were very fast, pH dependent and culture age-independent, suggestive of a physico-chemical reaction between cell wall components and heavy metal ions. The metal tolerant stains presented the weakest adsorbing activity, indicating that the metal biosorption was not the basis of the metal tolerance.