Researchers have found that spent brewer’s yeast, a byproduct of beer production, can be used to capture metals like aluminum, copper, and zinc from industrial waste.
The yeast’s cell walls naturally bind to these metals, making it an effective, low-cost solution for waste treatment. By adjusting the acidity (pH) of the waste solution, scientists enhanced the yeast’s ability to selectively bind with each metal. For example, at lower pH levels, the yeast binds more strongly with aluminium than copper, allowing for targeted recovery based on metal type.
The yeast can be reused multiple times, particularly for removing copper and zinc, which makes the process both sustainable and economical. While effective for aluminium, copper, and zinc, further studies are needed to optimise the technique for capturing metals like nickel.
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