Biosorption of copper by <i>Alcaligenes faecalis</i> and <i>Delftia tsuruhatensis</i> isolated from wastewater

Biosorption techniques can remove Cu. Copper-resistant bacteria isolated from Cu-contaminated environments. This study test the ability of Alcaligenes faecalis and Delftia tsuruhatensis to absorb Cu. The concentrations of copper used for the biosorption tests were 50, 100, and 150 mg/L in the nutrient broth media. The concentration of Cu in the nutrient broth media after the biosorption test was measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to confirm metal biosorption on bacterial cell surfaces. The ability of Alcaligenes faecalis to remove copper was 34%, and Delftia tsuruhatensis was 45% at the highest concentration. The results showed that Delftia tsuruhatensis has the highest capacity for copper biosorption. The results of the condition of Delftia tsuruhatensis , with copper metal (Cu), showed that the bacterial cells had an irregular cell shape, and there was a build-up of heavy metal molecules.