Mechanistic insight into protein supported biosorption complemented by kinetic and thermodynamics perspectives

In this review, we discussed the micro-level aspects of protein supported biosorption. The mechanism, surface chemistry in terms of energy interactions and electron transfer process (ETP) of peptide systems within protein are three important areas that provide mechanistic insight into protein supported biosorption. The functional groups in proteinous material like hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (>C=O), carboxyl (-COOH) and sulfhydryl (-SH) play a significant role in the biosorption of variety of pollutants such as metal ions, metalloids, and organic matters in wastewaters. The mechanistic aspects of biosorption are crucial not only for the separation process but also they contribute towards stoichiometric considerations and mathematical modelling process. The surface chemistry of applied biosorbents relies on interfacial components whose interaction energies are estimated with help of classical Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek (DLVO) theory mathematically. Proteins are the fundamental molecules of many biomaterial used for the biosorption of contaminents and peptide bond is considered as the backbone of proteins. The charge variations on peptide bonding is the result of ETP whose discussion was made part of this review for understaning number of biological and technological processes of vital interests. In addition, this review was complemented by exhaustive overview of kinetic and thermodynamics perspectives of biosorption process.