Adsorption of copper and chromium by Aspergillus carbonarius

Abstract

Aspergillus carbonarius NRC 401121 adsorbs some copper and chromium from their solutions. The amount of the adsorbed metal per unit of biomass increased with a decrease in the biomass concentration. The increases in the initial concentrations of metals and pH of the solutions resulted in an increase in copper and chromium uptake. The optimum temperature for copper uptake was 25 degrees C. Heating of the biomass prior to utilizing it in the adsorption tests decreased its metal adsorption capacity. Preincubation of the biomass with glucose enhanced the metal adsorption. The optimum glucose concentration in this process was 0.1%.