Abstract

PINEDA, T. et al. Biotransformation of rice husk ash in silica nanoparticles by Fusarium oxysporum. Matéria (Rio J.) [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.1, pp. 946-954. ISSN 1517-7076.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1517-70762012000100008.

In this study a biological route at room temperature for the biotransformation of rice husk ash (RHA) in silica nanoparticles using the fungus Fusarium oxysporum was evaluated. Some tests were carried out by monitoring the fungal biomass production, pH, soluble silica on culture medium with rice husk ash and fungi, during 270 h at a 25°C temperature and 0.3 g/L (wet basis) biomass concentration, in situ. The RHA was analyzed before and after processing by SEM and XRD. The results indicated that trhrough a biological process at room temperature a biotransformation of rice husk ash is reached by bioleaching and enzymatic action allowing the synthesis of oxidic nanomaterials.

Keywords : Rice husk ash; silica; bioprocessing; Fusarium oxysporum; nanomaterials.