DETERMINATION OF SORPTION POTENTIAL OF FERMENTATION INDUSTRY WASTE FOR FLUORIDE REMOVAL

Fluorosis has become a major concern in developing countries. There is need to search an inexpensive, biocompatible and eco-friendly sorbent to remove fluoride from water to make it potable. The aim of the present study was to determine the sorption potential of Saccharomyces sp. biomass which is produced as a waste from fermentation industry for fluoride removal in batch system. The effect of different parameters such as pH, initial fluoride concentration and contact time was studied on the sorption process. Fluoride removal was evidenced by FTIR and SEM. Maximum fluoride uptake was found at pH 2 and 5 mg.l-1 of initial fluoride concentration. The rate of sorption was rapid and 91% of fluoride was removed within 10 min of contact time. Sorption mechanism was determined by two parameter isotherm models such as Langmuir, Freundlich, D-R and Temkin. Equilibrium data fitted well to Langmuir model which suggests monolayer type of sorption on homogenous surface of yeast biomass. Pseudo-second order showed best fit kinetic model which assumes that the process may be chemisorption. FTIR study suggests that amide and carboxylic groups may play an important role in fluoride sorption.