Abstract

PAURO ROQUE, Juan José; CHOQUE YUCRA, Martín; POCCOHUANCA AGUILAR, Roger  and  MAMANI CANQUI, Alfredo. Studies of lead biosorption by Saccharomyces cereviceae in aqueous solutions. Rev. colomb. biotecnol [online]. 2009, vol.11, n.1, pp.33-39. ISSN 0123-3475.

Lake Titicaca's ecosystem and that of its tributaries in Puno (Peru) are being disturbed by heavy metals resulting from emergent mineral activity. Biological processes involving microorganisms such as yeasts (bioremediation) are being used for controlling and reducing such pollution. This research was aimed at evaluating Saccharomyces cereviceae's lead biosorption capacity in aqueous solutions and evaluating the influence of two pH levels on biosorption. Two S. cereviceae concentrations (cel/mL) were tested; these concentrations were quantified in a haemocytometer and then put into a solution having a known lead concentration (5 and 25 mg/L). Lead concentrations were read after 5, 60 and 120 minutes. The results revealed that the best biosorption level was obtained with a 5 x 10⁶ cel/mL S. cereviceae concentration at 5.14 pH. S. cereviceae thus constitute a good alternative for lead biosorption; however, its validation in Peruvian altiplano field conditions remains to be tested.

Keywords : Biosorption; lead; yeast.

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