Potentiality of the Phoma sp. inactive fungal biomass, a waste from the bioherbicide production, for the treatment of colored effluents

The potentiality of Phoma sp. inactive fungal biomass, waste from the bioherbicide production, was evaluated for the treatment of colored effluents containing Acid Red 18 (AR 18) dye. The batch experiments were performed to evaluate the following parameters: pH of the solution (2–10), dye concentration (50–200 mg L−1), adsorbent dose (0.5–2.5 g L−1), contact time (0–180 min) and temperature (298–328 K). The batch experiments using a synthetic dye solution revealed that Phoma sp. was efficient at pH of 2.0, 298 K and using a dosage of 1.25 g L−1. The process was fast, being the equilibrium reached within 180 min. The maximum value of biosorption capacity was 63.58 mg g−1, being the process favorable and exothermic. From the fixed bed assays, breakthrough curves were obtained, presenting a mass transfer zone of 7.08 cm and breakthrough time of 443 min. Phoma sp. was efficient to decolorize a simulated effluent, removing more than 90% of the color. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that Phoma sp. inactive biomass is a low–cost option to treat colored effluents in continuous and discontinuous biosorption modes. These indicate that Phoma sp. of inactive biomass is an option for the treatment of colored effluents. [Display omitted] •Phoma sp., a waste from the bioherbicide production, was evaluated as a new biosorbent options.•Phoma sp. waste was able to treat colored effluents in batch and fixed bed systems.•Phoma sp. was efficient to treat a simulated effluent, reaching 90% of color removal.