Characterization, mechanism of cypermethrin biosorption by Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains YS81 and HP and removal of cypermethrin from apple and cucumber juices by inactive cells

Cypermethrin is a common food contaminant and environmental pollutant that cause health threats to animals and humans. In this study, the characterization, mechanism, and application of cypermethrin removal by Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated. The binding of cypermethrin by the strains S. cerevisiae YS81 and HP was rapid and reached equilibrium at 2–8 h. The removal efficiency was dependent on incubation temperature and yeast concentration, whereas cypermethrin binding was not affected by pH. Heat and acid treatments enhanced the binding ability. Both strains survived in simulated digestion juices and removed cypermethrin effectively under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Among the strains tested, the YS81 strain was the better candidate for cypermethrin concentration reduction. For the two S. cerevisiae strains, the biosorption kinetics and isotherm followed the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir model well. The cell walls and the protoplasts were the main yeast cell components involved in cypermethrin binding. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that –OH, –NH, –C–N, –COO−, and –C–O played a major role in binding cypermethrin. Inactive cells effectively removed cypermethrin from apple and cucumber juices and did not affect the physico-chemical properties. Therefore, S. cerevisiae strains YS81 and HP may be used for cypermethrin reduction in food or feed. [Display omitted] •The cypermethrin binding ability is not dependent on the biomass viability.•The cell walls and the protoplasts play important roles in cypermethrin binding.•–OH, –NH, –C–N, –COO−, and –C–O groups participate in the adsorption.•S. cerevisiae is a novel promising biosorbent to reduce cypermethrin level in food and feed.