title: Preparation and characterisation of biodegradable pollen-chitosan microcapsules and its application in heavy metal removal.
abstract: Biosorbents have been widely used in heavy metal removal. New resources should be exploited to develop more efficient biosorbents. This study reports the preparation of three novel chitosan microcapsules from pollens of three common, wind-pollinated plants (Acer negundo, Cupressus sempervirens and Populus nigra). The microcapsules were characterized (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis) and used in removal of heavy metal ions: Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II). Their sorption capacities were compared to those of cross-linked chitosan beads without pollen grains. C. sempervirens-chitosan microcapsules exhibited better performance (Cd(II): 65.98; Cu(II): 67.10 and Zn(II): 49.55 mg g(-1)) than the other microcapsules and the cross-linked beads. A. negundo-chitosan microcapsules were more efficient in Cr(III) (70.40 mg g(-1)) removal. P. nigra-chitosan microcapsules were found to be less efficient. Chitosan-pollen microcapsules (except P. nigra-chitosan microcapsules) can be used in heavy metal removal.
authors.affiliation: Selcuk University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, 42075 Konya, Turkey. Electronic address: idrissargin@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: İdris
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Sargın
authors.affiliation: Aksaray University, Faculty of Science and Letters, Department of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, 68100 Aksaray, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.affiliation: Selcuk University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry, 42075 Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gulsin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.affiliation: Aksaray University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, 68100 Aksaray, Turkey.
authors.forename: Talat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baran
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Kastamonu University, 37100 Kastamonu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Talip
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ceter
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002214:Capsules / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D011058:Pollen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013499:Surface Properties; D013816:Thermodynamics; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Biosorbent; Chitosan; Heavy metal; Microcapsule; Pollen