Scientists from the Neutron Physics Laboratory at JINR Saccharomyces cerevisiae It has the ability to remove precious metals and can be used for 100% silver purification of wastewater. The press service of the institute announced the opening of socialbites.ca.
Silver compounds are used in medicine, chemical industry, electroplating, jewelry manufacturing, photography, etc. widely used. However, they are highly toxic to living organisms and current silver wastewater treatment methods are characterized by low efficiency or high cost. Biosorption, that is, the use of microorganisms for wastewater treatment, is considered one of the most promising technologies.
Researchers from JINR studied the interaction of yeast and silver ions in wastewater. The yeast biomass retained a high adsorption capacity during the three sorption-desorption cycles. Along with this property, the high biosorption capacity of this type of yeast and its safety for the natural environment will make it possible to produce an environmentally friendly and inexpensive reusable biosorbent that is easy to use and can be used to treat large volumes of wastewater. .
“This is also promising in that it is possible to extract silver from wastewater with the help of yeast. This is especially true given that the world’s precious metal reserves are involved. and silver dries up, mines weaken, and traditional methods for removing metal ions have drawbacks. The way out of this situation may be the wider use of microbial technologies for the extraction of precious metals. They can be used for silver, gold and platinum, and even rare earth elements, Inga Zinkovskaya, Head of the Neutron Activation Analysis and Applied Research Sector of the JINR Neutron Physics Laboratory, told socialbites.ca.
The yeast retained a high absorption capacity for silver ions even at high (about 100 mg/L) concentrations of metal ions in solution. Additionally, with increasing temperature and contact time, the yeast bound silver more efficiently, best in an acidic environment where the pH is three. The silver ion removal efficiency ranges from 97% to 100%.
Biosorption is based on the physicochemical interactions between the metal ion and the functional groups on the cell surface. In previous studies, the authors demonstrated the effectiveness of using this type of yeast for wastewater treatment from heavy metals (nickel, copper, strontium, and barium).
Formerly at Sechenov University created non-contact and painless hemorrhoid removal method.