Immobilization of Bacillus in calcium alginate beads for biosorption of nickel

Abstract

 Introduction: Today the cells immobilization is a suitable method for reusing microorganisms and protecting them from direct changes in the physico-chemical factors in the environment. Materials and methods: In this study, Bacillus cells were immobilized on calcium alginate. Among the methods immobilization ways, entrapment was used and on the other hand the drop method was used from the immobilization ways. Also, after producing fine Bacillus containing alginate, a packed bed reactor, was used to remove the metal nickel. Results: This study showed that uptake of Nickel by Bacillus fixing calcium alginate was more compared with free Bacillus cell and bacteria-free calcium alginate. The percentage of the nickel uptake from the solution by calcium alginate, free bacillus and calcium alginate containing Bacillus are respectively 17.5, 29.5 and 47.5 percent. Discussion and conclusion: By accepting that active groups of Bacillus have a major role in the uptake of toxic metals and most notably are the alginate carboxylic groups and the organisms containing these groups or used directly free of macromolecules containing these groups can be used.

Keywords

• Immobilization
• Calcium alginate
• Nickel
• Biosorption
• Bacillus