Isolation and Characterization of Heavy Metal Resistant Fungal Isolates from Industrial Soil in China

The soil contamination with the heavy metals is the growing concern throughout the world as the result of industrial, mining, agricultural and domestic activities. The fungi are the most common and efficient group of the heavy metal resistant microbial family which have potential for metal bioleaching. The present study was aimed on the isolation and phenotypic characterization of the heavy metal resistant fungal strains. All the strains were grown on SDA, CYA, MEA media and genotypic characterization of all the strains were performed by using specific Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) sequencing examination. Different strains were identified as Rhizomucor pusillus F1 (WF), Rhizomucor pusillus F2 (YBF), Aspergillus flavus F3 (LG), Aspergillus terreus F4 (YF), Aspergillus tubingensis F5 (BF) and Neosartorya hiratsukae F6 (DG). The present study reveals that the heavy metals contaminated industrial soil might be considered as a precious natural source of resistant fungal strains, which can be used significantly as a bioleaching or bioremediation tool.