Chromium VI bioremediation from Tannery Effluent and contaminated soil using Tamarindus indica leaves extract-immobilized nanoparticles

The potential for application of bioreduction of Cr(VI) as an alternative to chemical remediation strategy has been highlighted in several works of literature. The objective of the study was to determine Cr(VI) reduction capacity of nanoparticles-encapsulated Tamarindus indica methanolic leaves extract in tannery effluent and contaminated soil. The nanoparticle-encapsulated extract was produced by internal gelation as alginate polymer beads and characterized. The characterization involved the determination of Cr VI reduction efficiency, nanoparticle size and morphology, extract encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics constant, and half-life time for extract release. Findings from the study indicate that the spongy nanospheres (containing 1mg/ml tamarind extract) had 73% encapsulation efficiency, was able to convert 23.1mg/L and 14.6mg/L of Cr VI to Cr III in tannery effluent and Cr VI contaminated soil respectively, was active at broad pH range (2-6.7) and had a half-life of 82.52min. These findings are clear demonstration of the potential application of the use of extract immobilized nanoparticles for Cr(VI) remediation in tannery effluent and contaminated soil. Therefore, the use of safe and abundant reducing agent for Cr(VI) bioremediation could provide a lasting solution to a disconcerting Cr(VI) contamination in the environment.