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Adaptability assessment of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus isolated from long-term municipal/industrial effluent-irrigated soils to cadmium stress

Summary

Scientists studied two types of fungi that can survive in soil contaminated with cadmium, a toxic heavy metal from industrial waste. These fungi can accumulate and remove cadmium from their environment while producing protective chemicals that help them survive the metal’s toxic effects. The research shows these fungi could potentially be used as a biological solution to clean up contaminated soils, offering a more sustainable alternative to traditional chemical cleanup methods.

Background

Heavy metal contamination from industrial and mining processes is a major environmental concern. Fungi have demonstrated capacity to eliminate heavy metals from the environment, but the mechanisms by which fungi protect against cadmium toxicity remain largely unknown. This study investigated fungal isolates from heavy metal-polluted soils in Egypt.

Objective

To isolate fungi from heavy metal-contaminated soils, evaluate cadmium tolerance of the most resistant isolates, and investigate the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which Aspergillus niger and A. terreus adapt to cadmium stress.

Results

A. niger and A. terreus showed remarkable cadmium tolerance with MICs of 450 and 350 mg/L respectively. Both fungi demonstrated increased lipid peroxidation (MDA content increased 12.95-105.95% in A. niger and 17.27-85.38% in A. terreus from 50-200 mg/L Cd), elevated antioxidant enzyme activities (POD, PPO, APX), and increased production of organic acids particularly malic and succinic acids under cadmium stress.

Conclusion

A. niger and A. terreus are potential mycoremediation microorganisms capable of alleviating cadmium contamination through multiple tolerance mechanisms including antioxidant enzyme systems, organic acid production, and bioaccumulation. These findings suggest these fungi could be utilized in bioprocesses for environmental remediation of cadmium-contaminated soils.
  • Published in:BMC Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 40375089, DOI: 10.1186/s12866-025-04000-9
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