@conference{
author = "Radović, Jelena and Popović, Dragana and Ćurčić, Tatjana and Nikolić, Milan and Minić, Simeon and Gligorijević, Nikola",
year = "2023",
abstract = "This study aimed to improve chitosan polymer's capabilities to absorb mercury by
immobilising phycobiliproteins (PBPs) onto the surface of chitosan beads (chitosan–
PBPs). Phycobiliproteins, light-harvesting proteins from algae and cyanobacteria, have
several industrially essential applications. These proteins can bind heavy metals with high
affinities. Protein extracts obtained from both Arthrospira platensis, with C-phycocyanin
as the dominant phycobiliprotein and Neoporphyra haitanensis, with R-phycocyanin and
R-phycoerythrin as the dominant PBPs, were covalently immobilised onto chitosan beads.
Binding analysis showed that, on average, 54 μg of PBPs were immobilised per bead.
Immobilised proteins were still in their native state, with no visible colour change after
immobilisation. Chitosan–PBPs and chitosan alone were tested for mercury adsorption at
pH 4 and pH 7 by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The tested concentration range of
mercury was from 1 to 70 ppm. Affinity, calculated using Henry's binding isotherm, of
chitosan–PBPs for mercury was higher at both pH values than chitosan alone.
Furthermore, chitosan–PBPs beads were able to absorb significantly more mercury than
chitosan alone. These results show that the covalent immobilisation of PBPs onto chitosan
improves its mercury adsorption characteristics and creates a more efficient eco-friendly
adsorbent for removing mercury ions in the tested concentration range.",
publisher = "Serbian Biochemical Society",
journal = "Serbian Biochemical Society Twelfth Conference, International scientific meeting, “Biochemistry in Biotechnology,” September 21-23, 2023, Belgrade, Serbia",
title = "Applying immobilised phycobiliproteins onto chitosan for efficient mercury removal",
pages = "116-116",
url = "https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_cer_6666"
}