title: Characterization of a Novel Polymeric Bioflocculant Produced from Bacterial Utilization ofn-Hexadecane and Its Application in Removal of Heavy Metals.
abstract: A novel polymeric bioflocculant was produced by a bacterium utilizing degradation ofn-hexadecane as the energy source. The bioflocculant was produced with a bioflocculating activity of 87.8%. The hydrocarbon degradation was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and was further supported with contact angle measurements for the changes in hydrophobic nature of the culture medium. A specific aerobic degradation pathway followed by the bacterium during the bioflocculant production and hydrocarbon utilization process has been proposed. FT-IR, SEM-EDX, LC/MS, and1H NMR measurements indicated the presence of carbohydrates and proteins as the major components of the bioflocculant. The bioflocculant was characterized for its carbohydrate monomer constituents and its practical applicability was established for removing the heavy metals (Ni2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Pb2+) from aqueous solutions at concentrations of 1-50 mg L-1. The highest activity of the bioflocculant was observed with Ni2+with 79.29 ± 0.12% bioflocculation efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Resource Management and Environment Section, Life Science Division, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology Guwahati, India.
authors.forename: Mihirjyoti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pathak
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University Guwahati, India.
authors.forename: Hridip K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Sarma
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Gauhati University Guwahati, India.
authors.forename: Krishna G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Bhattacharyya
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Industrial Biotechnology Division, The Energy and Resources Institute New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Sanjukta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Subudhi
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Industrial Biotechnology Division, The Energy and Resources Institute New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Varsha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bisht
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Industrial Biotechnology Division, The Energy and Resources Institute New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Banwari
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.affiliation: Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Resource Management and Environment Section, Life Science Division, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology Guwahati, India.
authors.forename: Arundhuti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Devi
keywords: bioflocculant; bioremediation; contact angle analysis; glycoprotein; n-hexadecane; removal of heavy metals