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Objective. In this study the biomass of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used to remove lead, mercury and nickel in the form of ions dissolved in water. Materials and methods. Synthetic solutions were prepared containing the three heavy metals, which were put in contact with viable microorganisms at different conditions of pH, temperature, aeration and agitation. Results. Both individual variables and the interaction effects influenced the biosorption process. Throughout the experimental framework it was observed that the biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae removed a higher percentage of lead (86.4%) as compared to mercury and nickel (69.7 and 47.8% respectively). When the pH was set at a value of 5 the effect was positive for all three metals. Conclusions. pH was the variable that had a greater influence on the biosorption of lead on the biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The affinity of the heavy metals for the biomass followed the order Pb>Hg>Ni. Objetivos. En este estudio se utilizó la biomasa de la levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae para retener plomo, mercurio y níquel en forma de iones disueltos en agua. Materiales y métodos. Se prepararon soluciones sintéticas que contenían los tres metales pesados, las cuales se pusieron en contacto con el microorganismo en forma viable a diferentes condiciones de pH, temperatura, aireación y agitación. Resultados. Tanto las variables individuales como los efectos de interacción influyeron sobre el proceso de biosorción. A través de todos los experimentos, se observó que la biomasa de Saccharomyces cerevisiae eliminó un mayor porcentaje de plomo (86.4%) en comparación al mercurio y al níquel (69.7 y 47.8% respectivamente). Cuando el pH se fijó en valor de 5, el efecto fue positivo para los tres metales. Conclusiones. El pH fue la variable que tuvo una mayor influencia en la biosorción de plomo sobre la biomasa de Saccharomyces cerevisiae. La afinidad de los metales pesados por la biomasa siguió el orden Pb>Hg>Ni.

Objective. In this study the biomass of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used to remove lead, mercury and nickel in the form of ions dissolved in water. Materials and methods. Synthetic solutions were prepared containing the three heavy metals, which were put in contact with viable microorganisms at different conditions of pH, temperature, aeration and agitation. Results. Both individual variables and the interaction effects influenced the biosorption process. Throughout the experimental framework it was observed that the biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae removed a higher percentage of lead (86.4%) as compared to mercury and nickel (69.7 and 47.8% respectively). When the pH was set at a value of 5 the effect was positive for all three metals. Conclusions. pH was the variable that had a greater influence on the biosorption of lead on the biomass of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The affinity of the heavy metals for the biomass followed the order Pb>Hg>Ni.