Copper Tolerance and Accumulation in Penicillium ochro-chloron Isolated from Copper-Plating Solution

Abstract

Two fungi were isolated from a plating solution containing 25% (63,612.5 ppm) copper sulfate and 7% sulfuric acid. One of these was P. ochro-chloron which appears to be associated consistently with high Cu substrates. In culture this isolate grew at pH 2.0-8.0, and at Cu concentrations up to 5000 ppm. On agar medium, crystals (possibly of copper oxalate) were secreted by the mycelium. Cu uptake from liquid medium was rapid, reaching a maximum of 4.0 .times. 105 .mu.g/g dry weight after 1 day. Experiments with metal-contaminated lake water indicated that an organism of this type might hvae application for removal and recovery of metals from waste water.