Response Surface Approach for the Bisorption of Ag(I) by Macrofungus Pleurotus platypus

Response surface methodology (RSM) employing the three‐level Box–Behnken factorial design was used to optimize the biosorption of Ag(I) by the macrofungus Pleurotus platypus. The initial Ag(I) concentration (100–300 mg/L), pH (3.0–9.0), and biomass dosage (1.0–5.0 g/L) were chosen as the process variables for the optimization. A coefficient of determination (R2) value (0.99), model F value (234.18), and its low p‐value (F < 0.0001) along with the lower value of coefficient of variation (2.44%) indicated the fitness of response surface quadratic model during the present study. At the optimum pH (6.0), initial metal concentration (220 mg/L), and biomass dosage (3.0 g/L), the model predicted 46.7 mg/g Ag(I) uptake and an experimental 46.77 mg/g Ag(I) uptake by P. platypus was obtained. This is the first report on Ag(I) sorption by P. platypus using statistical experimental design employing RSM which may be helpful towards the treatment of industrial effluent containing silver.