OPTIMIZATION OF THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOFLOCCULANT BY BACILLUS SPECIES

ODUWOBI, O. O. (2015) OPTIMIZATION OF THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF BIOFLOCCULANT BY BACILLUS SPECIES. In: 3rd National Conference of the School of Applied Science, F. P. I., Ilaro., June, 2015., The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro.

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Abstract

Several serious problems are associated with the use of conventional synthetic flocculants, especially alum, as coagulants in waste water treatment. Bacillus sp. are some of the organisms capable of producing exopolysaccaride bioflocculants. Compared with conventional synthetic flocculants, bioflocculants have special advantages such as safety, strong effect, biodegradable and harmless to humans and the environment. Twenty-five bacterial isolates were obtained from soil samples and were screened for their ability to flocculate kaolin clay suspension. Five bacterial isolates (Bacillus firmus, Bacillus mucilaginosus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus licheniformis) were selected for further studies based on their flocculating potentialities. Glucose supported the maximum bioflocculant production by all the bacillus strains, ranging from 17.0% to 88.1%. Urea was the best nitrogen source for flocculation. Ca2+ was the best cation with a flocculation rate of 88.1%. A temperature and pH of 350C and 7 respectively were both optimal, rates ranged from 23.2% - 81.9% and 19% - 80% for temperature and pH respectively. Agitation (120rpm) better supported flocculation than static condition, flocculation rates ranged from 28.6% - 88.1%. Chemical analyses of the purified bioflocculants revealed that the major component of the bioflocculants was polysaccharide which ranged from 0.27% - 0.68%. The dry weight of the bioflocculants produced by the bacillus strains follows a linear increase from B. firmus, with a value of 5.2g/l through B. mucilaginosus with the highest value of 8.7g/l. Optimization of the physico-chemical parameters had tremendous effects on bioflocculant production and Bacillus mucilaginosus gave the best flocculating activity, at probability level p≥0.05. This study shows a useful way of harnessing the flocculating efficacy of Bacillus strains, hence, their recommendation, most especially Bacillus mucilaginosus.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Chemistry
Depositing User: Mr Taiwo Egbeyemi
Date Deposited: 31 May 2020 19:09
Last Modified: 31 May 2020 19:09
URI: http://eprints.federalpolyilaro.edu.ng/id/eprint/310

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