Biosorption of Copper(II) by Pleurotus ostreatus fungal biosorbent

The potential of Pleurotus ostreatus as an environmentally friendly biosorbent for copper (II), (Cu(II)) biosorption was investigated. Fifty percent biosorption of Cu(II) was achieved at half saturation constant of 0.72 %(w/v) biosorbent concentration, initial unadjusted pH of pH 5 +/- 0.3, 10 minutes of contact time, 50 mg/L initial Cu(II) concentration in 50 mL solution, at 125 rpm on orbital shaker and room temperature (26 +/- 1 degrees C). The experimental results corresponded with the Langmuir model and the maximum biosorption capacity was 3.6 mg/g. The kinetic data fitted well to pseudo second order kinetic model. The results showed that the Pleurotus ostreatus biosorbent has the potential to be developed as green biosorbent for heavy metals removal with minimal environmental impact.