Components of a Bioflocculant for Treating Tannery Wastewater

A prepared bioflocculant previously shown to be effective in treating tannery wastewater was examined to detect its components. Qualitative analysis revealed that the bioflocculant contained saccharides and proteins, which might have existed as glycoprotein, in addition to osamines and fats, but not nucleic acid. Quantitative analysis showed the mass composition of the bioflocculant to be as follows: saccharides (0.8963 g/g); proteins (0.0206 g/g); osamines (0.0081 g/g); and fats (0.055 g/g). It is expected that these results will contribute to future research into the mechanism by which the bioflocculant removes contaminants from tannery wastewater.