ANJALI KRISHNAN AND LOLLY JAIN
Abstract
Fungal strain- Aspergillus niger was isolated from effluent of chemical and pharmaceutical industry using SDA agar. The strain was sequenced by PCR METHOD. Pretreatment of the biomass obtained was carried out and the dried powdered form was used for biosorption of heavy metals. This dried biomass was immobilized in Ca-alginate beads. Ability of Pb biosorption with immobilized Aspergillus niger biomass was premeditated in the present study. The concentration of Lead in the filtrate was then analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The biosorption mechanism was studied using suitable techniques of SEM and EDX. The SEM analysis of both the normal biomass and the biosorbed one showed a significant change in the surface morphology, wherin the normal biomass surface showed normal pattern whereas the biosorbed mass showed sticking and shrinking leading to elongation. The EDX results enabled to detect the elements which played a key role in biosorption. Suitable conditions for Aspergillus niger to take up lead were studied by optimization. Following which biosorptive capcity too was calculated by quantifying the metal abosrbed. The biosorption capacity was testes on a waste water sample obtained and was found to have an efficiency of 87%.