Bioleaching of heavy metals from printed circuit board (PCB) by Streptomyces albidoflavus TN10 isolated from insect nest

Abstract Background E-waste management is extremely difficult to exercise owing to its complexity and hazardous nature. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the core components of electrical and electronic equipment, which generally consist of polymers, ceramics, and heavy metals. Results The present study has been attempted for removal of heavy metals from printed circuit board by metal-resistant actinobacterium Streptomyces albidoflavus TN10 isolated from the termite nest. This bacterium was found to recover different heavy metals (Al 66%, Ca 74%, Cu 68%, Cd 65%, Fe 42%, Ni 81%, Zn 82%, Ag 56%, Pb 46%) within 72 h under laboratory conditions. The metal content of PCB after bioleaching was analyzed by ICP-MS. The crude PCB and bioleaching residue were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM for the determination of structural and functional group changes for confirmation of bioleaching. Conclusion The findings of the present study concluded that Streptomyces albidoflavus TN10 is a promising candidate for bioleaching of heavy metals from the printed circuit board as an eco-friendly and cost-effective process.