Silver biosorption by micromycetes

Micromycetes of all genera and species studied were able to sorb silver fro m silver nitrate solutions. Biomasses of micromycetes belonging to differen t genera and species varied two-three times in their maximum and minimum so rption capacities. Sorption capacities of strains within one species could differ almost twofold. Maximum sorption capacities measured were 15-23 mg A g/g dry biomass. The highest sorption activity of micromycetes was observed during the first minutes of their contact with silver nitrate solution; th e sorption rate became negligible after 20 minutes of incubation. Silver so rption by the micromycete biomass took place over a wide pH range and incre ased with increasing pH values. The optimum temperature range for silver bi osorption was 30-50 degrees C. The highest sorption capacity was observed i n the mycelium of micromycetes from the late logarithmic-early stationary g rowth phases.