Effect of Cation on Efficiency of Aspegillus flavus Bioflocculant Produced from Chicken Viscera Hydrolysate

Abstract

Abstract— The cations are needed as stimulants for effective flocculation by the cation-dependent bioflocculants. Addition of metal ions (cations) can counterbalance anionic functional groups of both bioflocculant and solid particles thereby increasing the bioflocculant adsorption to suspended particles. In the present study, addition of all dose of both Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ stimulated the efficiency of the bioflocculant with optimum flocculation efficiency of 95% recorded with 5 mL of 1% Ca²⁺_. While lower dose (1 – 2 mL) of Al³⁺ also stimulated the bioflocculant to about 94%, Na⁺ and Fe³⁺ inhibited flocculation at all doses tested. K⁺ slightlyenhanced the flocculation at 4 - 10mL of 1%. The present cationic bioflocculant can be suggested as a substitute for chemical flocculants.