A study on antibiotic resistance and metal tolerance of bacteria isolated from industrial site

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to screen for antibiotic resistance and metal tolerant bacteria. Soil samples were collected from industrial contaminated sites for antibiotic resistance and metal tolerance. As the industrial effluents contain high concentration of heavy metals along with other organic and inorganic pollutants it was chosen for the study. Eight distinct bacterial species were isolated and tested for the metal tolerance (Cr, Ni and Mn) and antibiotic resistance (bacitracin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, rifampicin, penicillin and ampicillin) at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). It was found that most of the isolates had multiple antibiotic resistance which may be due to heavy metals released in industrial sites. The multiple antibiotic resistance of bacterial species was also associated with tolerance to metals such as chromium, nickel and manganese.