Enhanced heavy metal uptake by activated sludge cultures grown in the presence of biopolymer stimulators

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the feasibility of developing improved activated sludge cultures capable of removing heavy metals. Cystine, peptone, and β-glycerophosphate (BGP) stimulated metal uptake without the significant reduction of culture viability otherwise experienced in the absence of these chemicals. The cystine-peptone-BGP-grown culture exhibited the highest removal of copper and cadmium of 5.67 and 2.53 mM/g protein, respectively.