PJB-2006-90
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.
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