Bioremediation of Copper-Ions by Polymer Encapsulated and Immobilized Micrococcus Luteus

Bioremediation of copper (Cu²⁺ ) with immobilized Micrococcus luteus in polymer matrices has been broadly studied for a wide range of applications including wastewater treatment. Herein, the bioremediation efficiency based on modified immobilization techniques and by the addition of Cu²⁺ is investigated. Porous composite nonwovens with living M. luteus (living polymer composites) are prepared by encapsulation of the bacterial cells in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microparticles (M. luteus/PVA microparticles) produced by spray drying method. The M. luteus/PVA microparticles are chemically cross-linked. The hydrogel microparticles with encapsulated M. luteus are embedded in a nonwoven of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) electrospun short fibers provided by wet-laid method. Two different models of composite nonwovens are reported, in which the place position of the hydrogel PVA microparticles with encapsulated M. luteus and PLA nonwoven can affect the bioremediation process.