Karin Popa, Alexandru Cecal, Gabi Drochioiu*, Aurel Pui, Doina Humelnicu
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Al. I. Cuza University, 11 Carol I Blvd, 6600 - Iasi, Romania,
* Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Al. I. Cuza University, 11 Carol I Blvd, 6600 - Iasi, Romania
The possibility of bioaccumulation of uranium species in beer yeast was investigated. The behaviour of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae–UO22+ system was studied vs. contact time, pH and anion nature with no ionic competition. Analysis of the data revealed the following optimal working conditions: contact time = 1 h, pH = 6.5 and 10-1 M UO2(CH3COO)2 solution as uranyl source; as a result, the maximum degree of bioaccumulation attends a value nearly 8.75 mmol UO22+/g yeast. Both, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and amino acid determinations lead to the conclusion that the uranyl nitrate solution may devastate the yeast cells provoking membrane damage and the release of the cell constituents (including the bioaccumulated uranium species). The results suggest the possible use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a biological decontaminant of uranium containing wastewaters.