We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Upscaled open-culture production of microbial flocculants from industrial wastewaters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated the feasibility of producing biodegradable, nontoxic microbial exopolysaccharide flocculants at medium scale from industrial wastewater streams as a sustainable alternative to synthetic flocculants that contribute to microplastic accumulation.
Flocculants are widely used for solid-liquid separation despite environmental risks such as microplastics accumulation or release of toxic compounds. Microbially-secreted biopolymers are potential biodegradable, nontoxic alternatives. We demonstrate the feasibility of overproducing microbial exopolymers [extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)] from glycerol- and carbohydrate-rich industrial waste(water) in open-culture bioreactors. Two semi-pilot scale airlift bioreactors were operated with (airlift-MBR) and without membrane (airlift) to treat pure glycerol, biodiesel wastewater, and potato starch hydrolysate. Efficiency of EPS production with respect to supplied chemical oxygen demand reached values of 42% from pure glycerol, 30% from biodiesel wastewater, and 22% from potato starch hydrolysate. The airlift bioreactor showed stable continuous operation compared to airlift-MBR which was affected by membrane fouling. The produced EPS had net anionic charge and high molecular weight between 1 and 2.5 MDa. Both untreated EPS-rich mixed liquor produced in the bioreactors and extracted EPS therefrom showed promising flocculation potential comparable to anionic polyacrylamide.
More Papers Like This
New strategy for microplastic bioremediation: cellulose biopolymer-based hydrogel
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated bacterial cellulose hydrogel as a biodegradable flocculant to remove microplastics from contaminated water, finding that it effectively aggregated and settled plastic particles under optimized conditions. This plant- and bacteria-derived natural material offers a promising eco-friendly approach for treating microplastic-contaminated wastewater without adding chemical pollutants.
Microplastic removal from wastewater through biopolymer and nanocellulose-based green technologies
AI summary Read the abstract
Biopolymer-based coagulation and flocculation agents were shown to effectively remove microplastics from wastewater, offering a more sustainable alternative to synthetic chemical flocculants. The approach supports eco-friendly microplastic treatment that avoids adding further chemical pollutants to effluents.
Sustainable production of bacterial flocculants by nylon-6,6 microplastics hydrolysate utilizing Brucella intermedia ZL-06
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers isolated a bacterium, Brucella intermedia ZL-06, capable of producing a polysaccharide-based flocculant that effectively captures nylon-6,6 microplastics from water. The study then demonstrated that the recovered microplastic-flocculant mixture could be used as a sustainable carbon source for further bacterial growth, presenting a novel circular approach to both removing microplastics from sewage and recycling the captured material.
Current Status and Future Perspectives of Microplastic Remediation Technologies in Wastewater Treatment Processes Using Bioflocculants
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers review the use of bioflocculants in wastewater treatment to remove microplastics, examining current technologies and their effectiveness, and identifying the small size and chemical complexity of microplastics as key challenges while pointing to bioflocculant-based approaches as a promising path forward for protecting aquatic ecosystems.
Sustainable Removal of Microplastics and Natural Organic Matter from Water by Coagulation–Flocculation with Protein Amyloid Fibrils
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a novel water treatment method using protein-based amyloid fibrils as a natural flocculant to remove microplastics and dissolved organic matter from water. The method achieved removal efficiencies above 97% for both microplastic particles and humic acid, outperforming conventional chemical flocculants at the same dosage. The approach offers a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to traditional water treatment chemicals for addressing microplastic contamination.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.