Bioaccumulation and biosorption efficacy of Trichoderma isolate SP2F1 in removing copper (Cu(II)) from aqueous solutions

In our study, we isolated the isolate Trichoderma SP2F1 from sediment samples from the Penchala River, heavily contaminated with effluents from nearby industrial areas. Qualitative and quantitative screening using plate and broth assay, respectively, supplemented with various concentrations of Cu(II) showed the isolate was able to tolerate 6 mM CuSO₄, although growth was also detected in broths with 10 mM CuSO₄. Trichoderma spp. was able to remove Cu(II) in aqueous solutions in both viable and non-viable cell forms. Bioaccumulation capacity of viable SP2F1 cells removed 19.60 mg g^-1 of Cu(II) after 168 h incubation, while the maximum Cu(II) biosorption capacity for non-viable SP2F1 cells was 28.75 mg g^-1 of Cu(II). Results here showed that Trichoderma spp isolate SP2F1 has good potential for application in Cu(II) removal, can be used to treat sewage waste by applying either in viable or non-viable cell forms.