Exposure-response of Cr(III)-organic complexes to Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI)] bioreduction produces soluble Cr(III)-organic complexes. The Cr(III)-organic complexes are relatively stable once they are formed, and no data about their toxicity were reported. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the bioavailability and toxicity of the soluble Cr(III)-organic complexes. Saccharomyces cerevisiae L-1 wild type yeast strain was chosen as the model organism and Cr(III)-citrate was selected as the representative compound of the Cr(III)-organic complexes. The short-term chronic aquatic toxicity tests of the Cr(III)-citrate was explored by measuring growth inhibition, direct viable cell count, dry biomass, biosorption, and the amount of CO₂ production. Cr(III)-citrate exerted a toxicity of 51 mg/L with an EC ₅₀, which was calculated from the percent growth inhibition. These toxicity data would be helpful to define the toxic potential of the organo-chromium-III compounds in the environment.