Bioremediation of Arsenic (III) from Water Using Baker Yeast Sacchromyces cerevisiae

Abstract

The availability of arsenic in ground water and potable water accounts many toxic effects on human health because of its high toxicity level; it has become a global concern. Previously to decrease As (III) concentration in water various removal methods were explored. In the present study baker yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, used as a biosorbate to remediate the Arsenic (III) in the ground water, its capability was examined to sequester the metal ions from the arsenic contaminated water. Initially yeast was grown in YEPD medium and synthetic solution of As (III) was prepared in 3 different conc. 0.2 mg/l, 0.3 mg/l and 0.4 mg/l respectively. Systematic batch kinetic experiments were conducted with various process parameters such as agitation period, pH, and temperature; all the parameters were studied and found that Saccharomyces cerevisiae had very fine competence towards arsenic removal from the contaminated water under optimized condition of agitation period 120 hours, temperature 55oC and pH 6 were maintained. Removal of As (III) from supernatant was analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. It has been found that the percentage removal of Arsenic species (III) increases with decrease in YPD media and Saccharomyces cerevisiae removed 82.2%, 87.8% and 90.46% with respect to different concentration of synthetic solution of As (III) and it is highly effective method for the As (III) removal from the contaminated water.