Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Heavy metal tolerance in two marine dimorphic yeasts was evaluated on YPD agar medium. Effect of heavy metal ions on growth kinetics of both yeast was observed. The morphological changes in both yeasts were also observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Biosorption of lead and chromium was studied with respect to pH, temperature, contact time, biomass and initial concentration of metals. The surface sequestration of metal ions on the surface of yeast biomass was investigated by scanning electron microscope equipped with an Energy Dispersive Spectroscope (SEM-EDS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) studies. Bioaccumulation of Cr (III), Cr (VI) and Pb (II) in yeast cells was demonstrated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Further, Pbs, Cr and Cu nanoparticles were synthesized by using marine yeast cells as a simple, non-toxic, eco-friendly ?green material?. These nanoparticles were characterized by using SEM, TEM, XRD and Uv-Vis techniques. Cu nanoparticles were further tested for their antimicrobial activity.

Biography

Ashok Bankar is PhD student at Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, from University of Pune, Maharashtra, India. He has awarded CSIR scholarship for his Ph.D. and awarded travel grants from DST, VIBES, MICOM to attend conference at Belgium, Germany and USA. He has published 8 research papers and 1 book chapter in peer reviewed Journals.