Biosorption of electroplating heavy metals by some basidiomycetes

Three species of Basidiomycetous fungi namely Schizophyllum commune Fries, Ganoderma lucidum (Curt. Fr.) P. Karst and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) Quélet was investigated for removing heavy metal ions viz., Cu(II), Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Zn(II) from electroplating industrial effluents. Biosorption assays indicated that the test fungi possess great ability for removal of heavy metal ions. S. commune exhibited the maximum biosorption efficacy followed by G. lucidum and P. ostreatus, respectively through predilection of metal ions follow the order of: Ni(II) > Cu(II) > Cr(VI) > Zn(II).