Effect of Gamma Radiation on Zinc Tolerance Efficiency of Aspergillus terreus Thorn

• Published in: Current microbiology Vol. 72; no. 3; pp. 248 - 258
• Main Authors: Das, Dipanwita, Chakraborty, A., Santra, S. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-03-2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Antioxidants - metabolism; Aspergillus - drug effects; Aspergillus - growth & development; Aspergillus - metabolism; Aspergillus - radiation effects; Aspergillus terreus; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Colony Count, Microbial; Drug Tolerance; Gamma Rays; Ionizing radiation; Life Sciences; Microbial Viability - drug effects; Microbiology; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Pollution tolerance; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; Studies; Zinc; Zinc - toxicity; Gamma Irradiation; Potato Dextrose Broth; Biosorption; Aspergillus Terreus; Unexposed Group
• ISSN: 0343-8651; 1432-0991
• DOI: 10.1007/s00284-015-0944-1

The present study emphasizes the potential of gamma radiation in enhancing zinc tolerance of Aspergillus terreus. Gamma-exposed A. terreus could tolerate 1.13 times more Zn, reflecting higher growth (in terms of CFU) under Zn stress and enhanced Zn removal efficacies than their unirradiated counterparts. Radiation-induced upregulation of antioxidative system (SOD, CAT, GSH and MT) of A. terreus is responsible for radiation-induced enhancement of Zn tolerance. FTIR spectra reveals the involvement of functional groups in Zn biosorption; SEM study divulges the structural changes due to metal and gamma exposure and SEM–EDX depicts the Zn uptake by A. terreus (both in gamma-exposed and unexposed conditions). This work sheds light toward utilizing low doses of ionizing radiation for making more metal-tolerant fungi and the possible mechanisms adopted by A. terreus for being more metallo-resistant.