The impact of the changes in surface properties of yeast biomass, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, on Pb2+ biosorption

Abstract

This study examines changes that occur in yeast cell surface properties during physical, chemical and mechanical treatment and their potential impact on the biomass uptake capacity for lead. As a result of biomass treatment, the negative surface charge decreased and relative hydrophobicity increased. A strong negative correlation was discovered between the negative surface charge of variously modified yeast cells and their relative hydrophobicity. Despite the lower negative surface charge of treated in comparison to untreated yeast cells, the treated biomass had higher lead sorption capability. No relationship was found between the effectiveness of lead sorption by treated biomass and its surface charge or relative hydrophobicity.