title: Characterization and flocculation efficiency of a bioflocculant produced by a marine Halobacillus.
abstract: We reported earlier on the bioflocculant production potential of Halobacillus sp. Mvuyo, a marine bacteria isolated from Algoa Bay sediment samples. In this paper we report on the detailed characterization of the purified bioflocculant composed of polysaccharide and protein. The optimum dose of the purified bioflocculant for the clarification of 4 g l(-1) kaolin clay suspension was 0.2 mg ml(-1) at neutral pH. Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed the bioflocculant to have an amorphous structure. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum exhibited the presence of hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino groups in its structure. The bioflocculant was thermostable with relative bioflocculant activity residue of 74.4% after heat treatment at 100 degrees C. Moreover thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) exhibited a degradation temperature (Td) of - 140 degrees C. The flocculation efficiency of the bioflocculant was 86.2% compared with 82.6%, 74.5% and 70.9% for polyethylimine, ferric chloride and alum, respectively. This bioflocculant has immense promise as a substitute to inorganic and synthetic flocculants in view of their hazard implications.
authors: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.
authors: Sekelwa
authors: S
authors: Cosa
authors: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.
authors: Anthony M
authors: AM
authors: Ugbenyen
authors: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.
authors: Leonard V
authors: LV
authors: Mabinya
authors: School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Rumbold
authors: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa.
authors: Anthony I
authors: AI
authors: Okoh
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005427:Flocculation; D058678:Halobacillus / Q000737:chemistry*; D007616:Kaolin / Q000737:chemistry; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D007616:Kaolin