Sugar beet Ca-pectate gel as a cost-effective immobilized-cell matrix for metal biosorption.
Whole bacterial (Pseudomonas putida) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells were immobilized by entrapment in gel beads of Ca-pectate obtained from sugar beet pulp and gel beads of commercial Ca-alginate (of algal origin). These immobilized-cell particles were tested for Cd2+ removal from dilute aqueous solutions and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Only Ca-pectate gel beads loaded with yeast cells displayed enhanced cadmium-binding efficiency (13.8 mg Cd2+ per g dry matter) as compared to sterile beads (10.7 mg/g). Sterile Ca-pectate gel beads were noticeably more brittle than algal alginate counterparts. The presence of cells reduced the mechanical resistance of both types of beads, however. The practical use of cell-loaded sugar beet Ca-pectate gel as a metal biosorbent is discussed in light of these results.
Harel
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UMR 6522 CNRS, University of Rouen, UFR Sciences, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan Cedex, France.
Mignot
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Junter
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GA
D000327:Adsorption; D027461:Beta vulgaris / Q000737:chemistry*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism*; D018914:Cells, Immobilized; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D010368:Pectins; D016958:Pseudomonas putida / Q000378:metabolism*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism*
D005782:Gels; D008670:Metals; D002104:Cadmium; D010368:Pectins; C003181:polygalacturonic acid