Filamentous fungi as metal biosorbents : a review

The application of fungal biomass, particularly filamentous forms, as adsorbents or ion exchangers for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated waters is reviewed. Penicillium and Rhizopus species were examples of common filamentous fungi acting as sources of very effective heavy metal biosorbe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water, air, and soil pollution air, and soil pollution, 1990-10, Vol.53 (3-4), p.335-344
Main Authors: SIEGEL, S. M, GALUN, M, SIEGEL, B. Z
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Biology of microorganisms of confirmed or potential industrial interest
Biotechnology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Miscellaneous
Mission oriented research
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Summary:The application of fungal biomass, particularly filamentous forms, as adsorbents or ion exchangers for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated waters is reviewed. Penicillium and Rhizopus species were examples of common filamentous fungi acting as sources of very effective heavy metal biosorbents. Fungal derivatives generally performed well when compared with commercial ion-exchange resins, carbons and metal oxides. Fungal systems showed great versatility concerning metals taken up and bound and physico-chemical conditions tolerated. Applications to wastewater management had been limited by the lack of standardized conditions and of reliable interspecies comparisons. The potential of fungal systems to meet specific needs was, however, considerable.
ISSN:0049-6979
1573-2932
DOI:10.1007/BF00170747