ABSTRACT
The ability of dead cells of endophytic Drechslera hawaiiensis of Morus alba L. grown in heavy metals habitats for bioremoval of cadmium (Cd²⁺), copper (Cu²⁺), and lead (Pb²⁺) in aqueous solution was evaluated under different conditions. Whereas the highest extent of Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ removal and uptake occurred at pH 8 as well as Pb²⁺ occurred at neutral pH (6–7) after equilibrium time 10 min. Initial concentration 30 mg/L of Cd²⁺ for 10 min contact time and 50 to 90 mg/L of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ supported the highest biosorption after optimal contact time of 30 min achieved with biomass dose equal to 5 mg of dried died biomass of D. hawaiiensis. The maximum removal of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Pb²⁺ equal to 100%, 100%, and 99.6% with uptake capacity estimated to be 0.28, 2.33, and 9.63 mg/g from real industrial wastewater, respectively were achieved within 3 hr contact time at pH 7.0, 7.0, and 6.0, respectively by using the dead biomass of D. hawaiiensis compared to 94.7%, 98%, and 99.26% removal with uptake equal to 0.264, 2.3, and 9.58 mg/g of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Pb²⁺, respectively with the living cells of the strain under the same conditions. The biosorbent was analyzed by Fourier Transformer Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis to identify the various functional groups contributing in the sorption process. From FT-IR spectra analysis, hydroxyl and amides were the major functional groups contributed in biosorption process. It was concluded that endophytic D. hawaiiensis biomass can be used potentially as biosorbent for removing Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Pb²⁺ in aqueous solutions.