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Biosorption is an innovative and alternative technology to remove heavy metal pollutants from aqueous solution using live, inactive and dead biomasses such as algae, bacteria and fungi. In this study, live and dried biomass of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Funalia trogii was applied as heavy metal adsorbent material. Biosorption of copper(II) cations in aqueous solution by live and dried biomass of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Funalia trogii was investigated to study the effects of initial heavy metal concentration, pH, temperature, contact time, agitation rate and amount of fungus. Copper(II) was taken up quickly by fungal biomass (live or dried) during the first 15 min and the most important factor which affected the copper adsorption by live and dried biomass was the pH value. An initial pH of around 5.0 allowed for an optimum adsorption performance. Live biomass of two white rot fungi showed a high copper adsorption capacity compared with dried biomass. Copper(II) uptake was found to be independent of temperature in the range of 20–45 °C. The initial metal ion concentration (10–300 mg/L) significantly influenced the biosorption capacity of these fungi. The results indicate that a biosorption as high as 40–60 % by live and dried biomass can be obtained under optimum conditions.

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Molasses wastewater (vinasse; the by-product of distillation of fermented sugar) was decolorized and its chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced in static cultivation using the fungi Coriolus versicolor, Funalia trogii, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus pulmonarius ('Pleurotus sajorcaju'). The effect of cotton stalk on decolorizing and COD removing capability of four fungi was determined. In the entire concentration range tested (10-30%), wastewater was effectively decolorized by C. versicolor and F. trogii. Cotton stalk addition stimulated the decolorization activity of all fungi. The utilization of cotton stalk represents several advantages due to its function as an attachment place and as a source of nutrients; its use also reduces process costs.

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