African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5210

Full Length Research Paper

Production and characteristics of bioflocculant TPT-1 from a consortium of Bacillus pumilus JX860616 and Alcaligenes faecalis HCB2

Tsolanku Sidney Maliehe
  • Tsolanku Sidney Maliehe
  • Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa.
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Nelson Tlou Selepe
  • Nelson Tlou Selepe
  • Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa.
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Golden Ntombela
  • Golden Ntombela
  • Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa.
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Jean Simonis
  • Jean Simonis
  • Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa.
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Albertus Kotze Basson
  • Albertus Kotze Basson
  • Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa.
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Siyanda Ngema
  • Siyanda Ngema
  • Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa.
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Petunia Samukelisiwe Xaba
  • Petunia Samukelisiwe Xaba
  • Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa.
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Fanelesibonge Mpanza
  • Fanelesibonge Mpanza
  • Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand, Private Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, 3886, South Africa.
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  •  Received: 07 August 2016
  •  Accepted: 26 September 2016
  •  Published: 07 October 2016

Abstract

The combination of microorganisms in consortia enhances high bioflocculant yields. The study aimed at producing and characterising bioflocculant from Bacillus pumilus JX860616 and Alcaligenes faecalis HCB2. Bioflocculant TPT-1 was obtained through ethanol extraction after optimum conditions were established. The characteristics of the bioflocculant TPT-1 were obtained by scanning electron microscope equipped with elemental detector, Zetasizer nano, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectrophotometry and the thermal decomposition was used to conduct the thermal gravimetric analysis. The flocculation mechanism of TPT-1 on Kaolin suspension was obtained by Zetasizer Nano. Glucose and yeast extract were the best energy sources, yielding 3.0 g/L of TPT-1 in optimum conditions (30°C, 165 rpm, initial pH 6 and 72h). TPT-1 revealed to be an anionic, heat stable glycoprotein, with the total carbohydrate content of 83.1% (w/w) and the total proteins content of 9.7% (w/w). The elemental analysis demonstrated the presence of N (1.3), C (15.0), O (44.8), P (0.8), Ca (9.0), Cl (2.8), Mg (0.4), S (12.1), K (11.4) and Na (1.9) in mass proportion (% w/w), while the IR spectrum showed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl and amine groups. Ba2+ mediated bridge flocculation mechanism between the bioflocculant TPT-1 and Kaolin particles. The high flocculating capability (90%) and characteristics of TPT-1 suggested its potentiality in industrial applications.

Key words: Bioflocculant TPT-1, flocculating activity, flocculation mechanism and bacterial consortium.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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