What compound inside biocoagulants/bioflocculants is contributing the most to the coagulation and flocculation processes?

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 806; no. Pt 4; p. 150902
• Main Authors: Kurniawan, Setyo Budi, Imron, Muhammad Fauzul, Chik, Che Engku Noramalina Che Engku, Owodunni, Amina Adedoja, Ahmad, Azmi, Alnawajha, Mohammad Mohammad, Rahim, Nurul Farhana Mohd, Said, Nor Sakinah Mohd, Abdullah, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh, Kasan, Nor Azman, Ismail, Suzylawati, Othman, Ahmad Razi, Hasan, Hassimi Abu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.02.2022
• Subjects: Adsorption; Animals; coagulants; coagulation; environment; flocculants; Flocculation; Mechanism; Natural coagulant; neutralization; Pollutant removal; Wastewater treatment; Water Purification; Water treatment; Water treatment; Natural coagulant; Pollutant removal; Wastewater treatment; Mechanism
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150902

Biocoagulants and bioflocculants are alternative items that can be used to substitute the utilization of common-chemical coagulants and flocculants. Biocoagulants/bioflocculants can be extracted from animals, microorganisms, and plants. Moreover, biocoagulants/bioflocculants have specific characteristics that contribute to the coagulation and flocculation processes. The active compounds inside biocoagulants/bioflocculants vary and correspond to the specific working mechanisms, including charge neutralization, sweep coagulation, adsorption, bridging, and patch flocculation. This review paper summarizes the characteristics of biocoagulants/bioflocculants from different sources and its performance in treating various pollutants. Furthermore, this paper discusses the most contributing compounds and functional groups of biocoagulants/bioflocculants that can be related to their working mechanisms. Several functional groups and compounds in biocoagulants/bioflocculants are highlighted in this review article, as well as the correlation between the highlighted groups/compounds to the aforementioned coagulation-flocculation mechanisms. In addition, current knowledge gaps in the study of biocoagulants/bioflocculants and future approaches that may serve as research directions are also emphasized. This review article is expected to shed information on the characteristics of biocoagulants/bioflocculants, which may then become a focus in the optimization to obtain higher performance in future application of coagulation-flocculation processes. [Display omitted] •Biocoagulants & bioflocculants can be extracted from animals, microorganisms, & plants.•Certain compounds play important roles to the coagulation-flocculation mechanism.•Hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amines group reported to contribute the most.•Protein is contributing to coagulation & flocculation processes.•Charge neutralization and bridging are major mechanisms in the processes.