title: Treatment of vinasse from tequila production using polyglutamic acid.
abstract: Vinasse, the wastewater from ethanol distillation, is characterised by high levels of organic and inorganic matter, high exit process temperature (ca. 90°C) and low pH (3.0-4.5). In this study, the treatment of tequila vinasse was achieved by a flocculation-coagulation process using poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA). Results showed that the use of PGA (250-300 ppm) combined with sodium hypochlorite and sand filtration managed to remove about 70% of the turbidity and reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 79.5% with the extra benefit of colour removal. PGA showed its best flocculating activity at pH 2.5-3.5 and a temperature of 30-55°C. Such a treatment may be a solution for small tequila companies for which other solutions to deal with their vinasse may not be economically affordable.
authors: University of Veracruz, Biochemical and Nutrition Chemistry Area, Av. S. S. Juan Pablo II s/n, Zona Universitaria Frac, Costa Verde, CP 94294 Boca del Río, Veracruz, Mexico. ocarvajal@uv.mx
authors: Octavio
authors: O
authors: Carvajal-Zarrabal
authors: Cirilo
authors: C
authors: Nolasco-Hipólito
authors: Dulce Ma
authors: DM
authors: Barradas-Dermitz
authors: Patricia M
authors: PM
authors: Hayward-Jones
authors: Ma Guadalupe
authors: MG
authors: Aguilar-Uscanga
authors: Kopli
authors: K
authors: Bujang