Experimental and isothermal studies on sorption of Congo red by modified mycelial biomass of wood-rotting fungus

Batch biosorption experiments were carried out for the removal of Congo red from aqueous solution using native and pretreated mycelial pellets/biomass of Trametes versicolor. The effect of process parameters such as contact time, dye concentration, and pH on the extent of Congo red biosorption has been investigated. Higher dye concentrations resulted in lower biosorption. Increases in biomass dosage led to increases in the levels of biosorption. Biosorption kinetics and equilibrium data are essential basic requirements to develop an effective and accurate design model for the removal of the dye. A kinetic study showed that the biosorption of the dye on fungal biomass was a gradual process. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and Bangham's model were used to fit the experimental data. The results of the kinetic studies showed that the second-order kinetic model fitted well for the present experimental data. Equilibrium isotherms were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubnin-Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherms. The biosorption equilibrium data obeyed the Langmuir and Temkin isotherms well. Acidic pH was favorable for the biosorption of the dye. Studies on the pH effect and desorption show that chemisorption seems to play a major role in the biosorption process. Among the native and pretreated biomass studied, autoclaved biomass showed a better biosorption capacity.