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Considerations on the use of commercially available yeast biomass for the treatment of metal-containing effluents

Simmons, Paul; Tobin, John M.; Singleton, Ian

Authors

Paul Simmons

John M. Tobin



Abstract

Three strains ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae and one strain of aCandida sp. obtained from different industrial sources were screened for uptake of silver and copper. Considerable differences in metal uptake capacities were found between the different strains ofS. cerevisiae and betweenS. cerevisiae and theCandida sp. used. Copper uptake capacities ranged from 0.05 mmol g−1 dry wt to 0.184 mmol g−1 dry wt while values of 0.034 mmol Ag g−1 dry wt and 0.193 mmol Ag g−1 dry wt biomass were observed. Use of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) enabled the detection of copper complexing agents (possibly proteins and carbohydrates) released by yeasts into the surrounding medium. In contrast, these compounds had no silver complexation abilities. Langmuir and Scatchard transformations of metal adsorption isotherms suggested differences in the mechanisms involved in metal uptake by the various yeasts. The differences between strains ofS. cerevisiae were due possibly to differences in cell wal composition. Different methods of preparation of biomass (fresh, air, oven and freeze-dried) had little effect on metal uptake in comparison with fresh biomass. Storage of fresh waste biomass at 4°C for 20 days had no effect on metal biosorption capacities. It was also observed that individual batches of waste biomass produced from different fermentation runs had consistent metal uptake capacities. The implications of the above results on the use of waste yeast biomass for treatment of metal-containing effluents are discussed.

Citation

Simmons, P., Tobin, J. M., & Singleton, I. (1995). Considerations on the use of commercially available yeast biomass for the treatment of metal-containing effluents. Journal of industrial microbiology, 14(3-4), 240-246. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01569934

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 1, 1995
Publication Date 1995-03
Deposit Date Aug 5, 2016
Journal Journal of Industrial Microbiology
Electronic ISSN 0169-4146
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 14
Issue 3-4
Pages 240-246
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01569934
Keywords Yeast, Copper, Silver, Ion selective electrodes, Metal complexation, Metal uptake ,
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/328242