Removal of lead(II) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae AUMC 3875

The removal of lead(II) from artificial aqueous solution using live and dead biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AUMC 3875 was investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of S. cerevisiae AUMC 3875 for lead(II) was 600 mg/l. For live and dead biomass, maximum lead(II) uptake capacities were achieved at pH 5.0, initial metal ion concentration 300 mg/l, and biomass dosage 3 g/l. Maximum biosorption capacities were reached after 3 h and 20 min for live and dead cells, respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed the important role of C = O,UEuro OH,UEuro NH, protein amide II band, , mannans, sulphur and sulphur-oxygen compounds in lead(II) uptake. Scanning electron microscopy analysis (SEM) showed that the cell surface morphology and surface area/volume ratio changed greatly after lead(II) uptake. Transmission electron microscopy analysis (TEM) confirmed the involvement of both extracellular adsorption and intracellular penetration through the cell wall. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the presence of Pb(SO4),Pb2OSO4 by dead biomass and Pb3O2(SO4),Pb2OSO4 by live biomass. Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDAX) confirmed the occurrence of sulphur, oxygen and lead(II) on the cell wall. The removal of lead(II) from storage battery industry wastewater was performed by dead biomass efficiently.