Using of Rhizopus arrhizus as a sensor modifying component for determination of Pb(II) in aqueous media by voltammetry

For the sensitive determination of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions, a new voltammetric biosensor based on carbon paste electrode modified with Rhizopus arrhizus was developed. The preconcentrated ions at open circuit were reduced by using differential pulse stripping voltammetry technique. The obtained current values were related to the concentration of Pb(II) in the solutions. The best results were achieved at pH 7 with 0.01 M Tris–HCl buffer solution applying a preconcentration time of 12 min. The linear range for the biosensor was found to be within 1.0 × 10−7–1.25 × 10−5 M, with a detection limit of 0.5 × 10−8 M. The selectivity of the microbial biosensor was explored by adding interfering heavy metals to accumulation medium one by one, and their matrix effects were also investigated in the model metal solutions. Energy dispersive X-ray spectra analysis were applied to show the specific effect of the fungal biomass on the Pb(II) determination.