African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5233

Full Length Research Paper

Studies on bioflocculant production by Methylobacterium sp. Obi isolated from a freshwater environment in South Africa

Luvuyo Ntsaluba
  • Luvuyo Ntsaluba
  • Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.
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Mayowa Agunbiade
  • Mayowa Agunbiade
  • Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.
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Leonard Mabinya
  • Leonard Mabinya
  • Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.
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Anthony Okoh
  • Anthony Okoh
  • Applied and Environmental Microbiology Research Group (AEMREG), Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa.
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  •  Accepted: 15 June 2011
  •  Published: 16 November 2011

Abstract

 

A bioflocculant-producing bacterium isolated from river water was identified asMethylobacterium sp. Obi by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing. The nucleotide sequence was deposited in the Genbank with accession number HQ537130. The bioflocculant secreted by the isolate showed a peak flocculating activity of 72% in 1 g/L kaolin suspension supplemented with CaCl2. The bioflocculant yield was maximal when glucose and peptone were used as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively, at an optimum pH of 7. Calcium was the most effective cation in stimulating bioflocculating activity. Chemical analyses of the purified bioflocculant revealed it to be a polysaccharide. 

 

Key words: Freshwater, Methylobacterium sp. Obi, bioflocculant, flocculating activity, polysaccharides.

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