Md. Zahangir Alam, Mohammad Jakir Hossain Khan, Nassereldin Ahmad Kabbashi

1. Md. Zahangir Alam, Mohammad Jakir Hossain Khan, Nassereldin Ahmad Kabbashi Bioenvironmental Engineering Research Unit (BERU), Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Gombak, 50728 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Phone: 03-6196-4571, Fax: 03-6196-4442, E-mail: zahangir@iiu.edu.my Cost effectiveness, availability and adsorptive properties are the main criteria for choosing the biosorbent to remove organic compounds from wastewater. Considering these criteria, an invention of active biosorbent was prepared by immobilizing the commercial activated carbon with the fungal biomass through the fermentation process. The potential strains were selected based on immobilization capability through the screening test of different types of fungi. It was observed that the strains Aspergillus niger and Penicillium were able to immobilize 100% activated carbon with its biomass. The immobilized activated carbons on biomass (IACBs) as an active biosorbent were characterized by elemental analysis, surface techniques SEM and FT-IR. The functional groups of the biosorbent were observed by Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The surface morphology of the biosorbent was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). From the characterization study it was observed that significant changes were occurred in surface and structure. The study on the adsorption of dyes showed significant removal of color in aqueous solution compared to the pure activated carbon. The study shows that the new IACB material might be suitable for the removal of heavy metals or toxic dyes from the industrial wastewater. + Activated Carbon Biomass IACB (Biosorbent) Immobilization of activated carbon (SEM image) FTIR analysis Decolorization of Reactive Black R -150 Particle size analysis • BENEFITS • This biosorbent can be reused. • Minimize the cost of wastewater treatment significantly. • Biosorbent is able to minimize the use of conventional adsorbent like CNT (Carbon nanotube), activated carbon and other chemicals for wastewater treatment. • NOVELTY • The immobilization process of activated carbon on Fungal Biomass is new and ever have done before. • The new biosorbent is capable to adsorb heavy metals and toxic dyes efficiently, even compared to the commercial activated carbon. MARKETABILITY Wide range of market is available for different industrial wastewater treatment. Specially Textile, Tannery, Electronics, Paper Industries . COST BENEFIT The production cost of this biosorbent will be significantly low because the raw material is very low cost and available .