| Pak. J. Bot., 38(3): 817-832, 2006. | Back to Contents | ||||
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Updated: 09-07-09 | ||||
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ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND BIOSORPTION OF ZINC BY INDIGENOUS FUNGAL STRAINS ASPERGILLUS FUMIGATUS RH05 AND ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS RH07 R. FARYAL*, A. LODHI* AND A. HAMEED* Abstract: Heavy metal pollution of soil, water bodies and air is one of the major
issues in Pakistan. In order to develop a biosorbent for removal of
Zn from wastewater, a study was designed in which fungi were isolated
from soil of local textile industry. Major fungal genera observed were
Aspergillus sp., Rhizopus sp., Rhodotorula sp.,
Dreshlera sp., and Curvularia sp. Resistance studies were
carried out on Sabouraud- dextrose agar. A. flavus RH07 and A.
fumigatus RH05 showed maximum resistance for Zn (6500mg/L). A.
flavus RH07 and A. fumigatus RH05 were selected and characterized
for growth and Zn detoxification studies. Optimum pH and temperature
for Zn detoxification were 5.0 and 28oC, respectively, for A. fumigatus
RH05 whereas, A. flavus RH07 showed Zn biosorption at optimum
pH 4.0 and temperature 28oC in growing condition. Non-growing biomass
of Aspergillus fumigatus RH05 and Aspergillus flavus RH07
served as better biosorbents. Temperature and pH were vital parameters,
which affected the rate of Zn removal by both Aspergillus fumigatus
RH05 and Aspergillus flavus RH07. Oven dried dead biomass of
both strains was best adsorbent over a wide pH and temperature range.
Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology,
Johar Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan. |
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