Trichoderma sp. spores and Kluyveromyces marxianus cells magnetic separation: Immobilization on chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles

ABSTRACT In the present study, the interactions between chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles (C-MNP) and Trichoderma sp. spores as well as Kluyveromyces marxianus cells were studied. By Plackett–Burman design, it was demonstrated that factors which directly influenced on yeast cell immobilization and magnetic separation were inoculum and C-MNP quantity, stirring speed, interaction time, and volume of medium, while in the case of fungal spores, the temperature also was disclosed as an influencing factor. Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied for the mathematical analysis of adsorption isotherms at 30°C. For Trichoderma sp. spore adsorption isotherm, the highest correlation coefficient was observed for lineal function of Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity at 5.00E + 09 spores (C-MNP g−1). Adsorption isotherm of K. marxianus cells was better adjusted to Freundlich model with a constant (Kf) estimated as 2.05E + 08 cells (C-MNP g−1). Both systems may have a novel application in fermentation processes assisted with magnetic separation of biomass.