[Relationship of biosorption capacity of heavy metal ions by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their ionic characteristics].

Utilizing similar methods and ideas of QSAR in metal toxicity assessment, we tried to establish the relationship between the ion characteristics of heavy metals and the biosorption capacity by waste biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, obtained from a local brewery. The biosorption experiment was carried out and the maximum biosorption capacity (q(max)) was determined by the Langmuir isotherm model. The values of q(max) decreased in order on mole basis: Pb2+ > Ag+ > Cr3+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Cd2+ > Co2+ > Sr2+ > Ni2+ > Cs+. The biomass prefer to bind class B ions (Pb2+ and Ag+), then borderline ions, and last hard ions (Sr2+ and Cs+) based on the HASB principle. Twenty two parameters of physiochemical characteristics of ions were selected to correlate q(max). Linear regression analysis showed that only one parameter, i.e., the covalent index X2(m)r was correlated well to q(max) for all metal ions tested. The greater the covalent index value of metal ion was, the greater was potential to form covalent bonds with biological ligands, and the larger was the metal ion biosorption. Classification of metal ions (for divalent ion or for soft-hard ion) improved the models. More properties such as polarizing power Z2/r or the first hydrolysis constant /lgK(OH)/ or ionization potential IP were statistically significant. X2(m)r seemed to be suitable to account for metal ions containing soft ions, whereas Z2/r, /lgK(OH)/ and IP suitable for only soft ions or metal ions without soft ions.