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Isotherm and kinetic models and cell surface analysis for determination of the mechanism of metal sorption by Aspergillus versicolor

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Abstract

The isolate Aspergillus versicolor was obtained from an estuary, which is exposed to metal contamination. It was found to have a good metal tolerance and sorption capacity. Further studies revealed that the rate of metal removal from solution is very rapid in the first 5–10 min, and is favoured by a pH of 6.0. The biosorption data obtained was explained by the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model and followed a pseudo-second order kinetics reaction. The fungus showed a higher accumulation of fatty acids when grown in presence of metals as compared to the mycelium grown in absence of the metal; there was also an increase in the saturation index of fatty acids in presence of Cu2+ which serves as a protective mechanism for the fungus. Fourier Transform Infrared, scanning electron microscopy and EDAX analysis indicated that metal removal from solution by A. versicolor occurred by a passive adsorption to the fungal cell surface, involving an ion exchange mechanism.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to A. Majumdar, P. Naik and S. Mirza, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, India, for the analysis of GC-MS, and to P. Torney, Goa University for the FTIR analysis.

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  1. Department of Microbiology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, 403206, Goa, India

    Mufedah A. H. Gazem & Sarita Nazareth

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  1. Mufedah A. H. Gazem
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  2. Sarita Nazareth
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Correspondence to Sarita Nazareth.

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Gazem, M.A.H., Nazareth, S. Isotherm and kinetic models and cell surface analysis for determination of the mechanism of metal sorption by Aspergillus versicolor . World J Microbiol Biotechnol 28, 2521–2530 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-012-1060-z

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