EXPLORATION OF INDIGENOUS LEAD (PB)-RESISTANT BACTERIA FROM RUBBER WASTEWATER AS CANDIDATES FOR BIOREMEDIATION AGENTS

Putri, Emilya
Febria, Fuji Astuti
Tjong, Djong Hon

Jurnal Pendidikan Matematika dan IPA
Vol 16, No 3 (2025): September 2025

The presence of heavy metals such as lead (Pb) in rubber processing wastewater originates from coagulant materials, vulcanization processes, and raw water contamination. Pb is toxic and persistent, thus requiring proper treatment. This study aims to isolate indigenous bacteria from rubber wastewater that are resistant to Pb and have potential as bioremediation agents. Isolation was performed using the dilution-pour plate method, with selection on a medium containing Pb(NO₃)â‚‚. Resistance tests were conducted at increasing concentrations (100"“350 ppm). Three isolates (IS-1, IS-2, IS-3) were obtained, with IS-3 exhibiting the best growth (μ = 0.641 day⁻ ¹; generation time (G) 1.08 days). Molecular identification of the best bacterial isolate revealed that IS-3 is Pseudomonas protegens. This isolate shows potential as a bioremediation agent for Pb contamination.