1993 Volume 47 Issue 4 Pages 449-459
Rhodococcus erythropolis produces a kind of microbial flocculant. This bioflocculant was able to efficiently flocculate all the suspended solids tested in an aqueous solution. Among those tested were microorganisms such as E. coli and baker's yeast, activated sludge, algae, kaolin clay, muddy water, river bottom sediment, ash and charcoal powder. The bioflocculant NOC-1 from Rhodococcus erythropolis has a wide flocculating activity against both organic and inorganic materials.
From an aqueous solution of a water soluble pigment, removal of the water soluble pigment was attained by the bioflocculant NOC-1. The bioflocculant NOC-1 was able to efficiently flocculate and precipitate the soluble pigment in an aqueous solution tested. Among those efficiently tested were black ink, melanoidin pigment (blackish brown pigment) and black colored pigment of the black liquor of pulping industry.
This bioflocculant was purified, and was found to be composed mainly of protein. This bioflocculant is biodegradable flocculant which causes no problem of environmental pollution.
