Removal of chrome in tannery effluent by consortium of yeasts of the genus Saccharomyces and Pichia

Abstract

The effluent from the tanning process generates negative impacts on health and the environment since only 70% of the total chrome (Cr) used is exploited at this stage; Therefore, bioabsorption emerges as an alternative in the removal of heavy metals. In that sense, the objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the chrome removal capacity in tannery effluents using a consortium of yeasts composed of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S) and Pichia guilliermondi (P) strains isolated from agro-industrial waste. The experimental design consisted of 4 bioreactors of 250 ml conditioned with samples of effluent from the tanning stage, having the consortium (S + P) as sorbent, and controlled at 0, 6, 12 and 24 hours. The samples were analyzed by the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique. The results show a total Cr removal capacity of 57% and 54% in concentrations of 50 and 100 ppm respectively by the yeast consortium; likewise, the statistical evaluation with ANOVA allows affirming that there is no significant difference (p>0.05) when using both concentrations, recommending the use of the higher one in the bioabsorption process of tannery effluents.