Extraction, characterization and application of malva nut gum in water treatment

J Water Health. 2015 Jun;13(2):489-99. doi: 10.2166/wh.2014.100.

Abstract

In view of green developments in water treatment, plant-based flocculants have become the focus due to their safety, degradation and renewable properties. In addition, cost and energy-saving processes are preferable. In this study, malva nut gum (MNG), a new plant-based flocculant, and its composite with Fe in water treatment using single mode mixing are demonstrated. The result presents a simplified extraction of the MNG process. MNG has a high molecular weight of 2.3 × 10⁵ kDa and a high negative charge of -58.7 mV. From the results, it is a strong anionic flocculant. Moreover, it is observed to have a branch-like surface structure. Therefore, it conforms to the surface of particles well and exhibits good performance in water treatment. In water treatment, the Fe-MNG composite treats water at pH 3.01 and requires a low concentration of Fe and MNG of 0.08 and 0.06 mg/L, respectively, when added to the system. It is concluded that for a single-stage flocculation process, physico-chemical properties such as molecular weight, charge of polymer, surface morphology, pH, concentration of cation and concentration of biopolymeric flocculant affect the flocculating performance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Flocculation
  • Iron / chemistry
  • Malvaceae / chemistry*
  • Nephelometry and Turbidimetry
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Resins, Plant / chemistry*
  • Seeds / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Resins, Plant
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Iron