Assessment of Mercury biosorption by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Response surface methodology for optimization of low Hg (II) concentrations

Publication date: August 2018Source: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Volume 6, Issue 4Author(s): Mohammad Rasoul Hadiani, Kianoush Khosravi-Darani, Nahid Rahimifard, Habibollah YounesiAbstractThe potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for bioremoval of low concentrations of Hg2+ ions at ppb level in aqueous solutions was investigated. The effects of biomass, initial pH-value and initial Hg concentration on the removal efficiency of yeast were studied, and these parameters were optimized by central composite design. Verification of Hg2+ removal data was accomplished based on analytical quality assurance before instrumental analysis. Obtained data revealed that the optimal conditions for Hg biosorption were: 5.45, 79.8 μg/L and 47.7 × 107 CFU for pH-value, initial Hg2+ concentration and biomass, respectively; the maximum Hg2+ removal efficiency under optimal conditions was found to be 88.9%. These findings suggest that, in addition to its known ability to remove high levels of heavy metals in wastewater, S. cerevisiae can even be used for mitigation of very low concentrations of precarious elements such as mercury, usually considered as pollutants in water treatment and food processing industry.Graphical abstractBioremediation of Hg (II) in from Foodstuff and Water: Application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Source: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research