Biosorption and elution of chromium from immobilized Bacillus coagulans biomass.

Bacillus coagulans, a tannery wastewater isolate, previously shown to bind dissolved Cr(VI), retained its ability to biosorb Cr(VI) in different matrices. Polymeric materials like agar, agarose, calcium alginate and polyacrylamide were screened. Agarose emerged as the suitable candidate for biomass immobilization mainly due to its higher stability and integrity in acidic pH. Aptness of agarose as the matrix for B. coagulans biomass was revealed during Cr(VI) biosorption from natural wastewater.