Decolorization of Reactive Blue 49 contaminated solutions by Capsicum annuum seeds: Batch and continuous mode biosorption applications

Biosorption potential of biomass obtained from Capsicum annuum seeds to remove a reactive textile dye from contaminated solutions was investigated. Reactive Blue 49 was chosen as model dye. Initial pH, biomass dosage, contact time, initial dye concentration and temperature were evaluated in batch mode studies. Up to 96.62% decolorization performance was achieved with 1.6 g L−1 of biosorbent. Rate constants of the biosorption were calculated by kinetic measurements. Process was well described with Langmuir isotherm model at the dye concentration range of 75–500 mg L−1. Maximum monolayer biosorption capacity was determined as 96.35 mg g−1. Decolorization ability of biomass in a packed bed column was investigated as a function of flow rate, biomass amount and initial dye concentration. The possible interaction between dye molecules and biosorbent surface was evaluated by SEM, EDX and FTIR analyses. Biosorption performance of the suggested biosorbent in simulated wastewater conditions was also tested. Overall, the proposed biosorbent material was successfully used for the removal of a reactive dye from contaminated solutions.