Utilization of Corynebacterium glutamicum Biomass as a Regenerable Biosorbent for Removal of Reactive Dyes from Aqueous Solution

Biosorption is considered to be a promising alternative to replace or supplement the present methods for the treatment of dye-containing wastewater. In this study, the protonated biomass of Corynebacterium glutamicum was evaluated for its potential to remove two types of reactive dyes (Reactive Red 4, Reactive Blue 4) from aqueous solution. The uptakes of dyes were enhanced with decease in the solution pH, which was likely because the biomass functional groups increased at acidic pH and the positively charged sites could bind the negatively charged sulfonate group (dye-SO3-) of dye molecules. An equilibrium state was practically achieved in 10 hr. The Langmuir sorption model was used for the mathematical description of the sorption equilibrium. The maximum sorption capacities of C. glutamicum biomass for Reactive Red 4 and ReactiN e Blue 4 were estimated to 112.36 mg/g and 263.16 mg/g at pH 1, and 71.94 mg/g and 155.88 mg/g at pH 3.