Effective decolorization potential of Thamnidium elegans: Biosorption optimization, modelling, characterization and application studies

The biosorption of MV onto untried biomass prepared from Thamnidium elegans culture was investigated in batch and continuous systems. The effects of experimental parameters on the biosorption process (initial pH, biosorbent amount, time, flow rate, initial dye concentration and competing ions) were examined. Biosorption process was the best described by the pseudo-second order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. The high biosorption yield was recorded with lower amount of biosorbent in a short equilibrium time. Maximum biosorption capacity of biosorbent was determined as 579.37 mg g−1 in batch mode. Biosorption–desorption studies indicated that T. elegans has a relatively good regeneration and recovery potential. The possible dye-biosorbent interactions were investigated by zeta potential measurements and IR analysis. Findings indicated that the biosorbent prepared from T. elegans may be an effective alternative for the removal of MV from aqueous media with the high biosorption capacity and satisfactory recovery potential.

• T. elegans has a good decolorization potential for MV. • Biosorption takes place in a wide pH range of 4.0–10.0. • High biosorption yield was obtained in a short time with a small amount of biomass. • Fungal biomass was reused for seven cycles with >80% desorption yield.