Evaluación de la capacidad de remoción de cadmio mediante levaduras (Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Lecythophora ps.LE034), aisladas del volcán Tungurahua.

Abstract

This study determined the removal capacity of cadmium through the use of biomass of yeasts isolated from the Tungurahua volcano. It was chosed two species Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Lecythophora sp. LE034 and a third commercial species as reference Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The determination of cadmium in the removal process was tested by the modification of the colorimetric method of the dithizone by Ecuadorian technical standard INEN 0982. The number of colony forming units (cfu) and growth factor of a series of dilutions were determinated through McFarland curve and count per diffusion in plate. The percentage of inhibition of growth against cadmium using concentrations from 107 up to 1,07 µg/l, was between 85% and 95%, being the yeast Lecythophora sp. LE034 the most susceptible to inhibition. The removal process showed that the three yeasts are able to efficiently remove between 88-89% of cadmium.