Excess fluoride in groundwater poses a serious environmental and public health challenge in several parts of India, particularly in hard-rock regions where geogenic sources dominate. The present study provides an integrated assessment of groundwater fluoride contamination, dental fluorosis prevalence, and biological defluoridation potential in Pombhurna taluka of Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. A community-based survey involving 223 residents revealed a high prevalence of dental fluorosis indicators, with tooth discoloration (36.32%) and tooth sensitivity (23.76%) being the most prominent manifestations. Chi-square analysis showed a highly significant association (p < 0.001) between fluoride exposure and dental fluorosis symptoms.
Groundwater samples collected from borewells and wells were analyzed using the SPADNS spectrophotometric method. Fluoride concentrations ranged from 1.35 to 2.20 mg/L, with the mean fluoride level (1.69 ± 0.28 mg/L) significantly exceeding the World Health Organization guideline value of 1.5 mg/L (one-sample t-test, p = 0.004). Alkaline pH conditions prevailing in the study area favored fluoride mobilization and sustained exposure.
Fluoride-tolerant bacterial isolates obtained from contaminated water sources were molecularly identified through 16S rRNA gene amplification as Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis. Laboratory-scale biological defluoridation experiments demonstrated statistically significant fluoride removal following microbial treatment (paired t-test, p < 0.01), with B. subtilis showing marginally higher removal efficiency than B. cereus. The fluoride uptake was attributed to biosorption mechanisms involving cell-wall functional groups and adaptive tolerance under alkaline conditions.
As a sustainable mitigation approach, biosorption using Moringa oleifera seed powder was evaluated for its dual role as a natural coagulant and biosorbent. Treatment with M. oleifera seed powder resulted in a statistically significant fluoride reduction of 34.0% (p < 0.05), attributed to cationic, water-soluble proteins that promote coagulation–flocculation and adsorption of fluoride ions. In parallel, biological defluoridation using molecularly identified Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis demonstrated significant fluoride removal (p < 0.01), with B. subtilis showing the highest efficiency (39.5%).
The study establishes a clear linkage between groundwater fluoride contamination and dental fluorosis prevalence and highlights the effectiveness of plant-based coagulation–biosorption using Moringa oleifera seeds alongside microbial defluoridation as low-cost, eco-friendly, and locally adaptable strategies. Integration of routine monitoring, public health awareness, and natural defluoridation techniques is recommended to reduce fluorosis risk in fluoride-endemic rural regions.
Keywords: Dental fluorosis; Groundwater fluoride; SPADNS method; Biosorption; Defluoridation; Public health; Chandrapur district; Rural water quality
How to cite this article: Kulkarni MS, Integrated Biomonitoring of Groundwater Fluoride Contamination and Dental Fluorosis in Pombhurna, Maharashtra, India: Statistical Evidence and Biological Defluoridation Using Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3s): 170-181; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3s.24