Biosorption of lead and zinc from solutions using Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum waste biomass.

Mycelial wastes of microbial origin from fermentation industries have been recognized as potential biosorbents for decontamination of waste waters containing heavy metals. Dried, nonliving, granulated biomass of Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum was used for the recovery of lead and zinc from solutions. It was found that pretreatment of the biomass with boiling water for 15 min increased the biosorption of lead and zinc by 52 and 41%, respectively. The optimum pH range for lead uptake was 3.5-4.5 while for zinc it was 5.0-6.0. The lead and zinc adsorption data when applied to Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm equations showed good correlation (r2 = 0.97) and hence equal conformity to both models. The Scatchard plots indicated clearly that more than one type of binding sites were involved in the adsorption of lead and zinc by the biomass. The maximum loading capacity of S. cinnamoneum biomass was found to be 57.7 mg/g for lead and 21.3 mg/g for zinc with boiling water pretreatment. The loaded metals could be desorbed effectively with dilute hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and 0.1 M EDTA. Treatment with 0.1 M sodium carbonate permitted reuse of the desorbed biomass although the metal loading capacity in the subsequent cycles decreased by 14-37%. The metal biosorbent granules prepared are a value-added product that has the potential for removal/recovery of lead and zinc from dilute solutions on a commercial scale.