Flocculating Properties of Bioflocculant Biopol32 from Pseudomonas sp. GP32

Abstract

The flocculating properties of bioflocculant Biopol32 produced by Pseudomonas sp. GP32 were investigated for application in industrial wastewater treatment. The major flocculating substance of bioflocculant Biopol32 was identified as polysaccharide. Many anionic flocculants need a counter ion to induce higher flocculating activity. The flocculating activity of bioflocculant Biopol32 was markedly increased by the addition of cationic ions (Ca2+, Al3+). The flocculating activity of bioflocculant Biopol32 was the most effective when 7.0 mM CaCl2·2H2O as coflocculant was added. The flocculating activity on the effect of pH and the temperature of the bioflocculant Biopol32 was compared with anionic commercial flocculant (polyacrylamide) and bioflocculant (zooglan from Zoogloea ramigera). In kaolin suspension, the highest flocculating activity was obtained at the bioflocculant Biopol32 concentration of 1.5 mg/l. A high flocculating activity was observed in the pH range of 5.0 to 8.0. The flocculating activity of bioflocculant Biopol32 was sustained up to 60℃, but decreased rapidly at over 70℃. In the batch culture, the charge density of bioflocculant Biopol32 was compared with flocculating activity. The larger the anionic charge density and apparent viscosity of bioflocculant Biopol32, the higher the flocculating activity. Therefore, we confirmed that the flocculating activity and apparent viscosity of bioflocculant Biopol32 was closely related to the charge density of bioflocculant Biopol32.