Copper sorption by native and modified pellets of wood-rotting basidiomycetes

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the biosorption of copper to the pellets of different wood-rotting fungal species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Copper sorption was studied in both batch and column arrangements. The optimum pH for copper sorption was between 3.5 and 4. In 100 mg l(-1) Cu (II), maximum qe values were found for Oudemansiella mucida (8.77 mg g(-1) dry wt), Lepista nuda (6.29 mg g(-1)), Pycnoporus cinnabarinus (5.08 mg g(-1)) and Pleurotus ostreatus (4.77 mg g(-1)). Both biomass yield and specific sorption were influenced by the composition of the fermentation broth. The results of column experiments showed that mycelial pellets of wood-rotting fungi can be considered as promising biosorbent material. CONCLUSIONS: Pellets of wood-rotting fungi showed the same or better copper sorption properties as those previously reported for lower fungi or filamentous bacteria, as well as good mechanical properties.