Pollution Research Paper

BIOSORPTION OF REMAZOL BRILLIANT BLUE R AND INDIGO CARMINE USING IMMOBILIZED BIOMASS OF PSATHYRELLA CANDOLLEANA LCJ178

V. DAPHNE VIVIENNE GNANASALOMI, S. EVELYNE PRIYA AND J. JOEL GNANADOSS

Abstract

Immobilized biomass of the fungi Psathyrella candolleana LCJ178 was used to study the biosorption of the dyes Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) and Indigo Carmine. Support materials namely polyurethane foam, stainless steel sponge, scotch brite, white nylon sponge and luffa sponge were used to immobilize the biomass of P. candolleana LCJ178. Stainless steel sponge was found to be the best support for immobilization. The culture was found to bind firmly to stainless steel sponge and did not cause any operational difficulties during the biosorption studies. The effect of various parameters on decolourization of RBBR and indigo carmine was studied using the immobilized biomass. Results showed that an initial concentration of the dye at 10 mg/L, a high inoculum size of 50 g/L and an initial pH of 5 of the dye solution favoured maximum decolourization of both RBBR and indigo carmine. Shaking condition also facilitated better removal of the dyes compared with the static condition. The study demonstrated that besides a suitable support, other physical parameters were essential factors for augmenting the decolourization process.