Streptomyces levoris Immobilized on Silica Gel 60 as a Novel Biosorbent for Copper (II) Preconcentration

In the present study dead Streptomyces levoris biomass loaded on silica gel 60 was applied as an eco-friendly solid phase extractor for copper (II) preconcentration prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The influences of different parameters such as pH of the sample solution, amount of solid phase, type and concentration of eluent, flow rate of sample solution, sample volume, and interfering effect of diverse ions on the preconcentration procedure were evaluated. An enrichment factor of 25 was achieved under optimum experimental conditions. The obtained results showed that Streptomyces levoris immobilized on silica gel can be considered as a promising new biosorbent for solid phase extraction of trace amounts of copper (II).