Potential Application of Innovative Aspergillus terreus/ Sodium Alginate Composite Beads as Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Adsorbents for Alizarin Red S Dye: Isotherms and Kinetics Models

Abstract

Fungi were used as one of the most common bioremediation methods. From this perspective, our study highlights the optimization of Alizarin Red S (ARS) dye adsorption performance for the sodium alginate (SA) by using the fungus Aspergillus terreus (A. terreus) to form a composite bead and the possibility of its reusability. This was accomplished by mixing SA with different ratios of biomass powder of A. terreus, including 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%, to form composite beads of A. terreus/SA-0%, A. terreus/SA-10%, A. terreus/SA-20%, A. terreus/SA-30%, and A. terreus/SA-40%, respectively. The ARS adsorption characteristics of these composite mixtures were analyzed at various mass ratios, temperatures, pH values, and initial concentrations. Moreover, sophisticated techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), were employed to detect the morphological and chemical properties of this composite, respectively. The experimental results revealed that A. terreus/SA-20% composite beads have the highest adsorption capacity of 188 mg/g. Its optimum adsorption conditions were achieved at 45 ∘C and pH 3. Moreover, the ARS adsorption was well explained by the Langmuir isotherm (qm = 192.30 mg/g) and pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion kinetics. The SEM and FTIR findings corroborated the superior uptake of A. terreus/SA-20% composite beads. Lastly, the A. terreus/SA-20% composite beads can be employed as an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to other common adsorbents for ARS.

Biocomposite Material Based on Lactococcus lactis sp. Immobilized in Natural Polymer Matrix for Pharmaceutical Removal from Aqueous Media

“…On the contrary, in another study [82], the authors demonstrate that the Alizarin Red S dye adsorption on Aspergillus terreus/ sodium alginate composite beads was well explained by the Langmuir isotherm. Another study conducted for the removal of congo red and coralene dark red 2B dyes from aqueous solutions by adsorption on sodium alginate-based composite films established that the adsorption mechanism was confirmed through the Langmuir isotherm [83].…”

Efficient dye removal from industrial wastewater using sustainable activated carbon and its polyamide nanocomposite derived from agricultural and industrial wastes in column systems

“…Bioremediation, on the other hand, utilizes microorganisms to degrade organic pollutants, making it suitable for certain types of wastewaters. 8,10 Activated sludge mechanisms involve the use of biological processes for the treatment of wastewater, and it is particularly effective in removing organic matter. However, most of these traditional treatment procedures are undesirable because of their operational complicity and costs, 11 causing system corrosion, hazardous by-product production, consumption of chemicals, pH sensitivity, sludge generation, as well as disintegration of the microorganisms and organic materials.…”