Application of Response Surface Methodology for Removal of Remazol Yellow (RR) by Immobilised S. cerevisiae on Pumice Stone

In this study, Remazol Yellow (RR) removal was investigated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized on pumice stone. For immobilization process new technic was used and immobilization matrix HCl pretreated pumice stone was added to growth medium of microorganism. pH, initial biosorbent (Co) and dye concentration (Cb) effect on biosorption were optimized through the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and second order quadratic model was used to describe the effects of parameters successfully. At optimum conditions pH 3, Cb 2.5 g/L, C0 400 ppm maximum dye removal was 99% and 140 mg/g capasity was catched. When pumice stone, HCl preated pumice stone and Saccaharomyces cerevisiae were used in biosorption experiments directly 44%, 69%, 75% dye removal was obtained respectively. 0.5 M NaOH (pH 13.69) and water (pH 8) were chosen as a desorption agent for the immobilised biosorbent. Desorption efficiency was found 21% with 0.5 M NaOH and 1.5% with water (pH 8). The characterization studies were performed by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transformer InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results indicate that immobilised biosorbent is a promising alternative for the biosorption of Remazol Yellow (RR) from aqueous solutions.