Evaluation of new biosorbents prepared from immobilized biomass of Candida sp. for the removal of nickel ions

Abstract

Batch biosorption process for nickel removal was evaluated using three newly developed biosorbents. These three biosorbents were prepared by immobilizing the biomass of Candida lipolytica, Candida tropicalis, and Candida utilis with the help of calcium alginate. Optimum conditions for initial pH, biosorbent dose, contact time, temperature, and initial concentration of nickel ions were determined using batch studies. The equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were determined for batch biosorption process. The maximum biosorption capacity (mg g⁻¹) under optimum experimental conditions and temperature of 45°C was 197.68, 178.06, and 123.43 for immobilized Candida tropicalis beads (ICTB), immobilized Candida utilis beads, and immobilized Candida lipolytica beads, respectively. Hydrochloric acid solution exhibits excellent desorbing efficiency and recovered 98% of adsorbed nickel ions from ICTB. The biosorbent was successfully used for five consecutive biosorption desorption cycles without significant loss in its biosorption capacity. ICTB appeared to be an efficient biosorbent to accumulate and recover nickel ions due to higher biosorption capacity and outstanding regeneration results.

Keywords:

• Biosorption
• Candida sp.
• Equilibrium
• Kinetic
• Nickel
• Thermodynamics

Acknowledgment

Funding for this study was provided by Higher Education Commission, Government of Pakistan. Research facilities and laboratories of IEER, UET, Lahore, Pakistan, were used. Pure cultures of the Candida sp. were obtained from GCU, Lahore, Pakistan.