The role of antioxidants enzymes of E. coli ASU3, a tolerant strain to heavy metals toxicity, in combating oxidative stress of copper

The current study describes the isolation and characterization of E. coli from wastewater that collected from El-Malah canal in Assiut, Egypt. Twelve isolates were investigated for heavy metal resistance by which one of them showed multiple metal resistances. Furthermore, the bacterium was identified as E. coli ASU3 according to biochemical tests and then, preserved at Assuit University Mycological Centre with accession number AUMC B83. It exhibited high minimal inhibitory concentrations for metals and antibiotic resistance. The order of metals toxicity to the bacterium was Cr6+ > Cu2+ > Co2+ > Pb2+ > Ni2+ > Cr3+ > Cd2+ > Zn2+. Total protein content of E. coli ASU3 decreased with the increase of copper concentration. Under exposure of different concentrations of copper, the induction of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase was increased and these antioxidant enzymes can contribute to combating oxidative stresses.