The aim of this study was to determine the Cd2+ removal capacity of a biosorbent system formed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in calcium alginate beads. The adsorption of Cd2+ by a S. cerevisiae–alginate system was tested either by batch or fixed-bed column experiments. The S. cerevisiae–alginate system was characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS, zeta potential), size, hardness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Beads of the S. cerevisiae–alginate system showed a spherical–elliptical morphology, diameter of 1.62 ± 0.02 mm, 96% moisture, negative surface charge (−29.3 ± 2.57 mV), and texture stability during storage at 4 °C for 20 days. In batch conditions, the system adsorbed 4.3 µg of Cd2+/g of yeast–alginate beads, using a Cd2+ initial concentration of 5 mg/L. Adsorption capacity increased to 15.4 µg/g in a fixed-bed column system, removing 83% of total Cd2+. In conclusion, the yeast–alginate system is an efficient option for the removal of cadmium at low concentrations in drinking water.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.