MYXOCOCCUS-XANTHUS BIOMASS AS BIOSORBENT FOR LEAD

This paper deals with lead biosorption by Myxococcus xanthus biomass i n which dry biomass, accumulating up to 1.28 mmol of lead g(-1), is de monstrated to be a more efficient biosorbent than wet biomass. Dry bio mass biosorption was found to be very rapid, reaching equilibrium afte r 5-10 min. Culture age, the initial lead concentration and pH affecte d this process, but temperature did not. Furthermore, by using sodium citrate as a desorbent agent, 92.17% of the biosorbed lead could be re covered. It was also established that the biosorbed lead is located on the cellular wall and within the characteristic extracellular polysac charide of this micro-organism.