Functional groups on waste beer yeast involved in chromium biosorption from electroplating effluent

Waste yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae from the beer fermentation industry was used for the biosorption of chromium from electroplating effluent. The role played by functional groups such as carboxyl, amino, sulfhydryl, phosphate and lipids present on the yeast were evaluated by potentiometric titration and chemical modification. The extent of contribution of the functional groups and lipids to chromium biosorption was found to be in the order: carboxylic acids > lipids > amines > phosphates. Sulfhydryl group did not contribute to chromium biosorption.