Production and Characterization of a Bioflocculant from Pichia kudriavzevii MH545928.1 and Its Application in Wastewater Treatment

Phakamani H. Tsilo, Albertus K. Basson, Zuzingcebo G. Ntombela, Tsolanku S. Maliehe and V.S.R. Rajasekhar Pullabhotla
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Phakamani H. Tsilo: Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, P/Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
Albertus K. Basson: Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, P/Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
Zuzingcebo G. Ntombela: Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, P/Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
Tsolanku S. Maliehe: Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, P/Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa
V.S.R. Rajasekhar Pullabhotla: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, P/Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa 3886, South Africa

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: A variety of flocculants have been used to aggregate colloidal substances. However, recently, owing to the adverse effects and high costs of conventional flocculants, natural flocculants such as microbial flocculants are gaining attention. The aim of the study was to produce and characterize a bioflocculant from Pichia kudriavzevii MH545928.1 and apply it in wastewater treatment. A mixture of butanol and chloroform (5:2 v / v ) was used to extract the bioflocculant. Phenol–sulphuric acid, Bradford and Carbazole assays were utilized for the identification of carbohydrates, proteins and uronic acid, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental detector were employed to determine the surface morphology and elemental compositions. The removal efficiencies were 73%, 49% and 47% for BOD, COD and P, respectively. The bioflocculant (2.836 g/L) obtained showed the presence of carbohydrates (69%), protein (11%) and uronic acid (16%). The bioflocculant displayed a cumulus-like structure and the elemental composition of C (16.92%), N (1.03%), O (43:76%), Na (0.18%), Mg (0.40%), Al (0.80%), P (14.44%), S (1.48%), Cl (0.31%), K (0.34%) and Ca (20.35). It showed the removal efficiencies of 43% (COD), 64% (BOD), 73% (P) and 50% (N) in coal mine wastewater. This bioflocculant is potentially viable to be used in wastewater treatment.

Keywords: Pichia kudriavzevii MH545928.1; bioflocculant; removal efficiency; wastewater (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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