Nickel(II) biosorption by Rhodotorula glutinis
Alicia Suazo-Madrid1, Liliana Morales-Barrera, Erick Aranda-García
1Departamento de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, Colonia Santo Tomás, Mexico, DF, 11340, Mexico.
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology
|September 8, 2010
Summary
Rhodotorula glutinis biomass effectively removes Ni(II) ions from water. Acetone-treated cells demonstrate high biosorption capacity, making it a promising low-cost adsorbent for nickel removal.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Nickel (Ni(II)) ions are common aquatic pollutants.
- Effective and low-cost biosorbents are needed for Ni(II) removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Rhodotorula glutinis biomass as a biosorbent for Ni(II) removal.
- To investigate the effects of pretreatment and environmental parameters on Ni(II) biosorption.
Main Methods:
- Biosorption experiments using Rhodotorula glutinis biomass (untreated and acetone-pretreated).
- Optimization of pH, initial Ni(II) concentration, contact time, and temperature.
- Kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic analyses.
Main Results:
- Acetone-pretreated R. glutinis showed higher Ni(II) biosorption capacity than untreated cells.
- Optimal pH was 7.5; biosorption increased with initial Ni(II) concentration and temperature.
- Pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Fritz-Schluender isotherm model best described the data.
- Biosorption is an endothermic, non-spontaneous process involving chemical sorption.
Conclusions:
- Acetone-pretreated Rhodotorula glutinis biomass is a highly effective and low-cost biosorbent for Ni(II) removal.
- The biosorbent exhibits high sorption capacities (44.45 mg/g at 25°C, 63.53 mg/g at 70°C).
- This biomass is a competitive alternative adsorbent for treating Ni(II)-contaminated aqueous effluents.
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