A strain secreting a strongly acidic polysaccharide flocculating agent was isolated from activated sludge, and identified as Bacillus brevis. The bioflocculant was produced by RL-2 during the late logarithmic growth in the batch culture and was recovered from supernatant by ethanol precipitation. The bioflocculant is thermo-stable as its activity remains stable after heated at 100 °C for 45 min. Its flocculating activity with kaolin suspensions was stimulated by the addition of Ca2+, Al3+ and Cu2+. The flocculant consists of glucose, mannose, and galacturonic acid. Its average molecular mass was estimated to be approximately 2.86×105 by the method of viscosity. The flocculant aggregates various inorganic and organic compounds in solution.
展开▼
