LAUSR

Abstract Aquatic pollution caused by synthetic dyes poses a significant threat to environment and public health. Efficient and convenient removal of dye contaminants from aquatic environment is a challenge for environmental protection. Biosorption process is a promising way to remove such chemicals from contaminated media. Herein, a new biomagsorbent based on Lactarius salmonicolor cells (MagLS) was simply designed by combining magnetic separation and biosorption techniques. Technical feasibility of the prepared biomagsorbent for Reactive Yellow 2 retention was examined. The interactive effects of batch process variables were evaluated by 4 − level Box–Behnken design. Kinetic analysis indicated applicability of the pseudo − second − order model. qmax value was noted as 115.23 mg/g and retention of RY2 was endothermic and spontaneous in nature. IR, SEM/EDX analysis and zeta potential measurements were employed for the characterization. Flowthrough experiments indicated that MagLS has a high decolorization potential. Regeneration experiments carried out in 25 consecutive cycles revealed that MagLS can be easily regenerated and reused for at least 15 cycles with high sorption (∼70%) and desorption (∼80%) yield. Furthermore, after 25 cycling process, a recovery yield of RY2 dye was maintained at around 80%.