Attached culture of Gibberella fujikuroi for biocomposite sorbent production and ciprofloxacin sequestration applications

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe fluoroquinolone antibiotics in water sources are significant threats to public health, as well as the water ecosystem and water reuse. In this study, the feasibility of the biosorption of ciprofloxacin (CIP) using pine needles biomass‐Gibberella fujikuroi immobilized biocomposite (PNGFB) was promoted. It was prepared by passive cell immobilization onto the lignocellulosic matrix. The suggested biosorbent was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and zeta potential analysis. Series of batch and continuous mode experiments were conducted.RESULTSThe results of both systems showed that the PNGFB was effectively used for the treatment of CIP contamination. The maximum uptake occurred at pH 6.0, 40 min contact time, 1.0 mL min−1 flow rate, and 0.10 g (batch) and 0.20 g (column) PNGFB dosages. Redlich–Peterson isotherm model was the best suited to equilibrium data and the pseudo‐second‐order model predicted the biosorption kinetics. The maximum monolayer biosorption capability was 39.17 mg g−1. The suggested biocomposite also reached CIP removal yields of 64.14% and 53.74% in synthetic hospital effluent and synthetic urine samples containing 100 mg L−1 antibiotic, respectively. The regeneration study indicates that PNGFB retained its high biosorption and desorption yields during five cycles of the biosorption‐desorption.CONCLUSIONThe findings clearly showed that the PNGFB seems to be an eco‐friendly, effective, economic, and potentially viable biocomposite sorbent for the sustainable removal of CIP contamination. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).