Silica-cellulose material application as the immobilization matrix of Pseudomonas fluorescens

Abstract

Waste management, including heavy metal removal through bioremediation, requires process optimization. One of the important processes in a modern method is bacterial immobilization intended to improve the performance of bioremediation. In this preliminary study, silica material from rice husk processed via sol-gel was used, and cellulose of Nata de Coco was incorporated in situ during gelling to give balanced surface properties of a porous matrix. The modified could hold bacteria such as Pseudomonas fluorescens to be immobilized for further use. Variation of contact time was done, while temperature and stirring speed were kept constant. Assessment of Pseudomonas fluorescens bioremediation activity was carried out in cadmium standard solution. The result showed that the optimum contact time of Pseudomonas fluorescens and silica matrices was achieved at 30 min contact time as 99.19% was embedded in the matrices. This system decreased 80% of heavy metal in solution. This result indicates the compatibility of silica-cellulose matrix in Pseudomonas fluorescens immobilization, as predicted for other types of bacteria as well.