Separation and Preconcentration of Aluminum by Candida albicans Immobilized on Cellulose Acetate Biomass

In the present study, separation parameters of aluminum ions from aqueous solutions by Candida albicans immobilized on the cellulose acetate biomass (CAICAB) were investigated. The optimum experimental conditions for the preconcentration of aluminum were investigated. Amount of CAICAB, effect of common matrix ions and capacity of CAICAB were also obtained. 5mL of 2 mol L-1 HCl were used for elution of adsorbed aluminum ions on CAICAB. After elution, analyte ions were determined by high resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Under the optimized conditions, limit of detections for aluminum and adsorption capacity of CAICAB were 0.12 and 327.5 mu g g(-1), respectively. The method developed was applied to the separation and determination of aluminum in water samples.