Environmental friendly approach on biosorption of Ag nanoparticles using Aspergillus terreus BIOS PTK 6 biomass: Optimization, kinetics and characterization studies

• Published in: Biocatalysis and agricultural biotechnology 2024-04, Vol.57, p.103073, Article 103073
• Main Authors: Rajan, Ramachandran, Tamil Selvan, Silambarasan, Dharmalingam Jothinathan, Mukesh Kumar, Sridharan, Jagadeeswari, Xiang, Xin-Xin, Pudupalayam Thangavelu, Kalaichelvan, Manickam Dakshinamoorthi, BalaKumaran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aqueous solution; Aspergillus terreus; Biosorbent; Biosorption; Dead biomass; Silver nanoparticles
• ISSN: 1878-8181; 1878-8181
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2024.103073

The present study focused on the biosorption of Aspergillus terreus dead biomass for the removal of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from aqueous solution. For the better removal of AgNPs, pH, temperature, incubation time, initial biomass concentration and agitation speed were optimized and AgNPs treated as well as control biosorbents were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses. In our study, the optimum conditions of pH, temperature, incubation time, initial biomass concentration and agitation speed for the maximum removal of AgNPs was found to be 4, 30 °C, 200 min, 1 mg/mL and 125 rpm, respectively. Interestingly, in our study, Langmuir isotherm model was best correlated with the highest regression coefficient (R2) of 0.992 and the maximum biosorption was found to be 740.63 μg/mL. FTIR results showed that carboxyl, carbonyl and secondary amine groups were involved in the biosorption of AgNPs. FESEM images of AgNPs treated biosorbent depicted rough surface and the presence of AgNPs on the surface of biosorbent was clearly observed. EDX spectrum showed Ag peak, which confirmed the successful uptake of AgNPs by A. terreus dead biomass. Thus, our study shows that A. terreus could be used as a cost-effective eco-friendly biosorbent for AgNPs removal from aqueous solution. Therefore, exploiting the same fungus for both synthesis and removal of AgNPs could be a novel approach in the context of mycoremediation practices. [Display omitted] •Biosorption ability of A. terreus dead biomass was investigated for AgNPs removal.•The biosorption conditions were optimized for maximum removal of AgNPs.•Langmuir model showed the maximum biosorption of 740.63 μg/mL.•FTIR and FESEM coupled with EDX studies confirmed the successful uptake of AgNPs.•A. terreus could be used as the cost-effective biosorbent for AgNPs removal.