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Use of Annona Diversifolia and A. Muricata Seeds as Source of Natural

Coagulant- Flocculant Aids for the Treatment of Wastewaters

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ISSN 2321-9122
EJBB 2013; 1 (2): 16-22
© 2013 AkiNik Publications
Received 02-9-2013
Accepted: 06-9-2013
Luis G. Torres
Departamento de Bioprocesos. Unidad
Profesional Interdisciplinaria de
Biotecnología- Instituto Politécnico
Nacional. Av. Acueducto s.n. Col.
Barrio la Laguna Ticoman. Mexico
07340 D.F. MEXICO.
Sandra Carpinteyro-Urban
Departamento de Bioprocesos. Unidad
Profesional Interdisciplinaria de
Biotecnología- Instituto Politécnico
Nacional. Av. Acueducto s.n. Col.
Barrio la Laguna Ticoman. Mexico
07340 D.F. MEXICO.
Luis J. Corzo-Rios
Departamento de Bioprocesos. Unidad
Profesional Interdisciplinaria de
Biotecnología- Instituto Politécnico
Nacional. Av. Acueducto s.n. Col.
Barrio la Laguna Ticoman. Mexico
07340 D.F. MEXICO.
Correspondence:
Luis G. Torres
Departamento de Bioprocesos. Unidad
Profesional Interdisciplinaria de
Biotecnología- Instituto Politécnico
Nacional. Av. Acueducto s.n. Col.
Barrio la Laguna Ticoman. Mexico
07340 D.F. MEXICO.
E-mail: LTorresBustillos@gmail.com
European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience 2013; 1 (2): 16-22
Use of Annona Diversifolia and A. Muricata
Seeds as Source of Natural Coagulant-
Flocculant Aids for the Treatment of
Wastewaters
Luis G. Torres*, Sandra Carpinteyro-Urban And Luis J. Corzo-Rios
ABSTRACT
Galactomannans have a wide spectrum of applications. They can be used as thickening and gelling
agents. Guar and locust bean gums have been reported with interesting applications in the printing
and oil industries. At the end of the applications, the use of galactomannans as coagulant-flocculant
aids has been reported recently. Our working group has published the use of guar, locust bean and
mesquite seed gums (produced by Cyanaposis tetragonolobus, Ceratonia siliquia and Prosopis
laevigata, respectively) in the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewaters. They have shown
an interesting potential to substitute Fe an Al salts and polyacrylamide derivatives in the treatment of
these kinds of wastewaters. This work report by the first time the use of the polysaccharides
contained in seeds of two fruits very appreciated by their nutritional and even pharmaceutical
properties. Annona diversifolia and A. muricata contain polysaccharides which are capable of
reducing the COD, turbidity, and electrical conductivity in wastewaters. In the case of A. diversifolia,
COD removals as high as 37.6% were obtained for a dose of 50 mg/L, producing 2 mL sludge/L. On
the other hand, A. muricata removed 35% of the COD present, with a dose of 100 mg/L and
producing 5 mL sludge/L.
Keywords: Biopolymers, Coagulation, Flocculation, Galactomannans, Wastewaters
1. Introduction
Otegui [1] published an excellent review regarding the endosperm cell walls, which covers
aspects such as endosperm cell walls composition and the categorization of carbohydrates
contained in pectins, hemicelluloses and cellulose. Besides, this work reviews the mechanisms
of cell formation in the endosperm among other interesting issues. Finally, the paper describes
in detail the polysaccharides composition of mature endosperm cell walls, and mention three
mannan groups: 1) Pure mannans, 2) glucomannans and 3) galactomannans.
Among the third group, galactomannans are related to mannans, but contain more (1,6)--D-
galactosyl side chains. Galactomannans with a high degree of side chains are soft and highly
hydrophilic. They are found in the endospermic leguminous seeds, such as fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum), guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoba) and locust bean (Ceratonia
siliqua), in the endosperm of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and coffee seeds (Coffea
arabica), and other groups such as Convolvulaceae, Asteraceae and Arecaceae [1].
Presence of galactomannans has been reported in many subfamily species including Cassia,
Senna, Leucaena, Mimosa, Prosopis, Bowdichia, Crotalaria, and Indigofera in high
proportions respect the rest of reserve polysaccharides [2]. Besides, the presence of
galactomanannas has been reported in cotyledons and hull of Lapinus albus [3].
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 European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience
Buckeridge et al.[2] reviewed a big group of galactomannanns from
Brazil and other countries produced in seeds. They even reminded
that the yield (%) and man/gal ratio has been used for the
classification and evolution of the Leguminoseae genera.
Annona diversifolia (known as illama in Central America and
papausa in south-Mexico) is a fruit-tree which can be distingish
from other species of Annona in that it has two classes of leaf: the
usual obogate, glabrous leaves with a petiole, and leaves in the
form of round, dedicius bracts without petiole, which grow on the
base of small branches. The flowers have three outer petals that are
2 to 5 cm long and three diminute inner petals. The color is a
varietal characteristic and ranges from pink to purplish red. Finally,
the fruit, which is about 12 cm long, has a white, pink or reddish
flesh, with a typical aroma and sweet, exquisite flavor which,
according to most people is superior to that of cherimoya (Annonna
cherimola). The fruit is very resistant and sometimes completely
immune to attack from seed-boring insects [4]. Fruits have a big
single-seed.
A. diversifolia has been reported because of the antibacterial
activity of their extracts [5]. On the other hand, Julian-Loaeza et
al.[6] studied the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of
three varieties of Annona diversifolia Safford. They concluded that
the three varieties of A. diversifolia could be considered as an
important source of fiber, sugars, potassium and zinc. An in vitro
study was conducted in terms of vitamin C, total phenols, total
flavonoids and radical scavenging activity. A. diversifolia extracts
possessed greater radical scavenging activity and similar total
polyphenol content compared to those of other Annona species
reported elsewhere.
Annona muricata is a fruit-tree known as guanabana in Mexico. It
is a perenifolium/caducifolium studied bush or tree from 3 to 8 m
height. Their leaves are oblong-elliptical from 6 to 12 cm long and
2-2.5 cm width. This tree presents cylindrical branches red-
brownish in color and with numerous lenticels. Flowers grow from
the tail with 3 sepals and 6 petals. Fruit is meaty, dark-green and
covered by flexible tubercles with spin aspect. Seeds are ovoid and
flat, 15-20 mm long with a dark shiny testa [7].
The compositional analysis of the seed of A. muricata (sour soup)
was yet published by Fassakin et al.[8]. These authors have
concluded that because of their protein, fiber, fat, carbohydrate and
ash contents (seed and seed coat), A. muricata seeds could be
considered with potential to be employed as a feed supplement for
cattle, sheeps, goats and horses. Besides, seeds showed a very low
level of tannins, phytates and cyanides, which in turn can be very
hazardous when present in materials with animal feed purposes.
The structures of the galactomannans from seeds of Annona
muricata, Arenga saccharifera, Cocos nucifera,
Convovolustricolor and Sophora japonica have been characterized
by Kooiman9. They found molecules having main chains of (1,4)-
linked -D-mannose residues, with different proportions of side
chains consisting of single -D-galactose residues linked to the
main chains by (1-6)-bonds. The molecular weights were found to
vary from 6,000 (Sophora) to 17,000 (Arenga). Authors mentioned
that the isolation of the galactomannan of Annona was by first time
recorded occurrence of that type of polysaccharide in the family
Annonaceae.
In another study, Kooiman [10] described the preparation of an
~ 17 ~
amiloyd from A. muricata L seeds. An amyloid is an alkali-soluble
polysaccharide. The analysis was developed using hydrolysis by
cellulose in presences and absence of cellobiase. The hydrolysis
processes concluded that the amyloid is essentially a polymer of O-
-D-galactosyl-(1-2)-O--D-xylopyranosyl-(1-6)- resulting in a
linear chain of 1,4--D-glucosyl units with side chains of
galactosyl-xylosyl residues attached at regular intervals. The
molecular weight was found to be c.a. 10,000.
Finally, the antibacterial effect of A, muricata extracts was recently
reported by Vieira et al.[11]. Aqueous extracts of A. muricata were
effective against Staphylococcus aeureus, Vibrio cholera classic
Escherichia coli from a river.
The aim of this work is to report by the first time the use of the
polysaccharides contained in seeds of two fruits very appreciated
by their nutritional and even pharmaceutical properties in
coagulation-flocculation of wastewaters. Annona diversifolia and
A. muricata contain polysaccharides which are capable of reducing
the COD, turbidity and electrical conductivity (as a measure of the
dissolved salts content) in wastewaters. The polysaccharides
extraction procedure as well as the proximal composition of both
polysaccharides are also described and discussed.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1 Extraction of Polisacchirides from Annona Muricata and A.
Diversifolia
Fruits were purchased in a local market located in Toluca, Edo de
Mexico (A. muricata) and Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas (A.
diversiflora). Seeds were separated from the fruit pulp, cleaned
manually and dried at room temperature. Seeds were milled in a
commercial blender to break the pericardium. Inside the endosperm
it is the almond, which was milled in laboratory equipment until
the powder passes American mesh number 100. The flours were
defatted using a Soxhlet system, using hexane during 6 hours of
recycling the solvent. After that, flours were dried in a convection
oven for 2 hours at 110 ºC. The final products were stored in
propylene flasks at room temperature until they were used.
2.2 Polysaccharides Characterization
The endosperm flours were characterized by triplicate in accord to
the methodology reported by A.O.A.C [12]. Humidity was
determined by the weight difference after 2 hours of drying at 110
ºC (method 925.09). For protein determination, the method 954.01
was employed. Nitrogen content was evaluated by Kjeldahl method
and the percentage of crude protein was calculated using a
conversion factor of 6.25. Crude fiber was quantified in accord to
method 962.09, using a Fibertec system. In accord to method
920.39, the fat content was determined after 4 hours of Soxhlet
washing with hexane. For ashes content, the method 923.03
employs the final weight of the simple calcination (2 hours) at 550
ºC. By differences in weight, the nitrogen-free extract was
calculated. 14 metals were measured in the gum samples and the
FeCl3 product, using the Standard Methods technique [12].
2.3 Wastewaters Characterization
Wastewaters were characterized in terms of COD, BOD, pH,
conductivity, total solids, hardness, methyl blue active substances
MBAS, grease and oil as well as 4 metals content in accord to
Standard Methods [13].
 European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

2.4 Coagulation Flocculation Assessments
Galactomannans (including mesquite with comparison purposes),
were employed in solutions with concentrations from 50 to 150
mg/L. Ferric chloride (J.T. Baker, Mexico) was also employed with
comparison purposes at the same concentrations without changing
the wastewaters original pH value. Jar-test equipment was used
with beakers containing 1 L of wastewater. Samples were stirred
with a rapid mixing of 100 rpm for 3 minutes, low mixing at 20
rpm for 15 minutes and sedimentation for 20 minutes. The
removals of COD, turbidity and dissolved salts (measured as
electrical conductivity) as well as the changes in the pH values
were measured following Standard Methods [12]. Municipal
wastewaters were sampled from San Juan Ixhuatepec wastewater
treatment plant (Estado de Mexico) at the influent, after the screens
which remove large particles and big plastic materials. Sludge
volumes were measured using 1 L Imhoff cones during 60 min.
3. Results
3.1 Wastewater Characterization
Table 1 shows the characterization of the municipal wastewaters
employed along this work. They showed COD and BOD levels of
827 and 444 mg/L, respectively. The wastewaters were slightly
acidic (6.7 units), with 550 units of Pt-Co of color, 1869 S of
electrical conductivity (as a measure of dissolved salts) and
turbidity value of 453 TNU. Hardness had a value of 288 mg/L as
CaCO3, MBAS (as a measure of the ionic surfactants present) were
in a concentration of 411 mg/L and oil and greases was in a level
of 230 mg/L. The four tested metals (Al, Cr, Fe, and Pb) were
present in a very low concentration, near from the detection limit.

Table 1: Wastewater initial characteristics.

Parameter Value Parameter Value
Hardness as
pH 6.69 units 288.81 mg/L
CaCO3
Conductivity 1,869 S MBAS 4.14 mg/L
Color Pt/Co 550 unities Grease and oil 230.6 mg/L
Turbidity 453 TNU Al 0.983 mg/L
COD 827 mg/L Cr <0.06 mg/L
BOD 444 mg/L Fe 1.40 mg/L
0.0015
Total solids Pb 0.42 mg/L
mg/L
MBAS: methylene-blue active substances, a measure of ionic surfactants. UNT: nephelometric units, COD: chemical oxygen demand,
BOD: biological oxygen demand.

3.2 Polysaccharide Characterization be used as an animal or even human food complement. On the
The polysaccharide characterization consisted of a proximate other hand, fiber content is about 16.3 and 17.5% for A. muricata
composition analyses, developed in accord to A.O.A.C. [12]. Results and A. diversifolia, respectively. Fat content is very high for seeds,
for the galactomannans extracted from A.diversifolia and A. 41.1 and 39.8% for every Annona, respectively. This high content
muricata are very interesting. Note at table 2, that humidity for could be interesting if we think in these seeds as a fat source for
both gums is very similar (about 5%). Regarding the protein any purpose, including the very actual necessity of raw materials
content, it is remarkable that the content is again very similar, c.a. for bio-diesel production.
18.7%. That is an interesting data if the galactomannans is going to
Table 2: Proximate composition for galactomannans (g/100 g DW).
A. A.
muricata diversifolia
Moisture 5.13 ± 0.01 4.89 ± 0.06
Protein 18.74 ± 0.39 18.76 ± 0.13
Fiber 16.29 ± 0.10 17.49 ± 0.59
Fat 41.12 ± 0.08 39.82 ± 1.70
Ash 2.55 ± 0.03 2.42 ± 0.03
Nitrogen Free
16.99 ±0.02 21.50 ± 0.03
extract
Data are mean values of triplicate samples ± SD.*Calculated by difference
Regarding the ash content (residual salts). Very similar values of comparison to the FeCl3 employed along this work. It is noticeable
2.5 and 2.4% were found, respectively. Finally, the nitrogen free that the metal content is very different for the three coagulant-
extract, in other words, the exopolysacharide content was of 17 and flocculant aids. Regarding the alkaline-earth metals, the material
21.5% for A. muricata and diversifolia, respectively. It is important with more Na was the FeCl3 sample (340, 08 mg/kg), followed by
to take into account that these values were measured without the A. muricata and A. diversifolia. In the case of K, the higher
seed cover. concentration was found in A.diversifolia (11,203 mg/kg). For Ca,
Table 3 show the metal contents for the Annona seeds in A. muricata was the more concentrated (1,651 mg/kg). Finally for

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 European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Mg, A. diversifolia showed the higher concentration (13,685
mg/kg). There is no problem in adding these metals to the
wastewaters since they are natural components of ground- and
surface-waters.
In respect to heavy metals, as expected, FeCl3 was the coagulant-
flocculant aid with higher concentrations of Fe (188,201 mg/kg)
and also of both Ni (22.29 mg/kg), and Zn (267.8 mg/kg). A.
muricata was the material with higher concentration of Cu (18.46
mg/kg), and Pb (18 mg/kg), while A. diversifolia was the product
with more Al (51 mg/kg), as (1.89 mg/kg), Cd (1.9 mg/kg) and Hg
(0.290 mg/kg). It is important to take into account the dilution
factor (dependent on the optimal dose) to calculate the maximum
metal concentration that can be present in the final wastewater.
There is no information regarding the speciation of those metals.

Table 3: Metal contents for A. Muricata, A. diversifolia and FeCl3 (mg/Kg)

Anona Anona.
Metal FeCl3
muricata diversifolia
Al 10.64 51.03 44.81
As 1.66 1.89 1.09
Ca 1,651.0 1,140.71 348.01
Cd 1.56 1.88 1.47
Cr <0.10 <0.10 9.11
Cu 18.46 13.23 5.04
Fe 45.27 69.32 188,201.0
Hg 0.107 0.290 0.142
K 9,183.71 11,203.43 40.96
Mg 10,467.6 13,685.23 3,316.47
Na 258.17 129.96 340.08
Ni 5.09 4.32 22.29
Pb 18.05 8.76 11.26
Zn 54.79 28.51 267.79

3.3 Wastewaters Treatment flocculation of suspended materials in a different extent, in

Regarding the wastewater treatment, the results are presented in comparison with FeCl3. The best COD removal for a dose of 100
figures 1-6 when galactomananas and FeCl3 were at 100 mg/L. The mg/L was for FeCl3 (55.7 %), followed by the product form A.
most important parameter is always COD removal. In figure 1 it is muricata (37.1 %), P. laevigata (27.8%) and at the end, by the A.
noticeable that all polymers showed the capability of coagulation- diversifolia product (9.3%).

Fig 1: COD removal for the galactomannans in comparison to FeCl3. (100mg/L)

At figure 2, it is noteworthy that again FeCl3 reached the higher
turbidity removal (50.2%), but followed by the A. muricata
polysaccharide (31.3%), the A. diversifolia product (10.9%) and the
P. laevigata product at the end (6.45).
Regarding the salts removal values (measured as conductivity) are
quite low, as expected: coagulation-flocculation process is not a
very good process to remove dissolved salts. Nevertheless, the
values obtained by the polysaccharides are higher two-fold and
three-fold than those obtained with FeCl3 (1.8%)

~ 19 ~
 European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Fig 2: Turbidity removal for the galactomannans in comparison to FeCl3. (100mg/L)

Production of sludges is an indirect measurement of the affectivity produced 5-fold the amount of sludges produced by the polymers
of a process, but the density of the obtained sludges needs to be form A. muricata and P. laevigata, and 50-fold the amount of
taken into account always. Figure 3 shows that FeCl3 assessment sludge produced when using A. diversifolia

Fig 3: Sludge production for the galactomannans in comparison to FeCl3. (100mg/L)

Regarding the values of the pH at the end of the process, it can be
said that values for the natural polymers were between 7.09 and
7.15 units, while the value for the FeCl3 test was slightly acidic
(6.91). This is another inconvenience of using Fe salts.
At this point, the use of polysaccharides produced in the seeds of A.
difersifolia and A. muricata have shown great potential to
substitute Al and Fe salts + synthetic polymers employed in the
coagulation-flocculation process of wastewaters. In a second step,
the dose of A. diversifolia and A. muricata products will be varied
between 50 and 150 mg/L in order to detect the best dose for the
process.
Figure 4 show the behavior of COD removals and sludge
production for the different doses of A. diversifolia. It is clear that
the higher the polymer dose, the lower the COD removal.
Regarding the sludge production, the behavior is the same, except
for the point where the polysaccharide dose is 150 mg/L, were an
increment in the production of sludges is observed. From this point
of view, it is desirable that the A. diversifolia product, at low doses
(50 mg/L) shows a good performance and it is no necessary to add
more product.

Fig 4: Results for Annona diversifolia, regarding COD and sludge production.

~ 20 ~
 European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience
Regarding the turbidity removal, values between 23.8-10.9% were
observed the same trend that observed for COD removal. In the
case of the conductivity removals, only the 100mg/L dose showed a
6 % removal. Final pH´s of the assessments were between 7.09-7.6
units (data not shown).
Figure 5 show the behavior of COD removals and sludge
Fig 5: Results for Annona muricata, regarding COD and sludge production.
Regarding the sludge production, volumes between 2.5 and 4.5
mL/L were obtained. In general, sludge production with the A.
muricata polysaccharide was higher than those observed for A.
diversifolia.
Regarding the turbidity removal, values were between 31.3-51.2%
for the 100 and 150 mg/L doses, respectively. Salt removals were
again very low, between 1.7-4.9% for the 150 and 100 mg/L doses,
respectively (data not shown).
Other studies have reported coagulation-flocculation process that
uses natural polymers such as guar, locust bean and mesquite seed
gums. Torres et al.[13] using the same wastewaters than those
employed in this work, found that Prosopis laevigata seed gum
reached COD removal of 90%, when employed at a pH of 10 with
a dose of 75 mg/L. On the other hand, using Opuntia ficus-indica
mucilage, COD removals as highs as 65% were reached, with a
dose of 50 mg/L and a pH value of 10.
Carpinteyro-Urban et al.[15] reported the use of guar, locust bean
(LBG) and mesquite gums, as well as Opuntia indica mucilage as
efficient coagulation-flocculation agents in the treatment of
municipal wastewaters. Best values were obtained when using LBG
at 50 mg/L while the best turbidity removal was achieved when
employing 125 mg/L of guar gum.
Also in a high-load cosmetic industry wastewater, Carpinteyro-
Urban et al.[16] reported the use of guar, LBG and Opuntia indica
mucilage with turbidity removals, values up to 67%. COD
removals as high as 38.6% were observed which implies the
removal of 4,333 mg COD/L. The maximum efficiency was found
for mucilage, with a figure or 21.1 mg COD removed per mg of
polymer employed.
Sanghi et al.[17] have reported the use of Cassia angustifolia seed
gum as an effective natural coagualant for decolourisation of dye
solutions. In another work, Sanghi et al.[18] the same group used
seed gum from Ipomea dasysperma and guar gum as coagulant for
other decolorization of textile wastewaters.
On the other hand, Zhang et al. [19] studied the cactus (Opuntia
ficus) mucilage as coagulant in water treatment. They reported
~ 21 ~
production for the different doses of A. muricata. It is clear that the
higher the polymer dose, the higher the COD removal. This is the
opposite behavior if compared with figure 5 for A. diversifolia.
COD removals were between 26-37.6%. Doses of 50 and 75 mg/L
reached almost the same removal (c.a. 26%), while doses of 100
and 150 mg/L reached about 37% of COD removal.
removal efficiencies up to 80-82% of the turbidity present in the
initial wastewaters. Authors studied the effect of the initial
turbidity, the temperature and the use of alum + cactus mucilage.
Mishra and Bajpai [20] showed that a food grade polysaccharide,
i.e., Plantago psyllium mucilage, is capable of flocculation of a
model textile wastewater. Finally Beltran-Heredia and Sanchez-
Martin21 demonstrated that. Moringa oleifera extracts can be used
to treat wastewater treatment in a pilot plant unit. They achieved
turbidity removals up to 70% using the natural product. Besides,
they showed that during the coagulation-flocculation experiments,
total coliforms, faecal coliforms and faecal Streptococcus can be
substantially diminished.
4. Conclusions
The use of A. diversifolia and A. muricata seed polysaccharides in
the coagulation-flocculation process of municipal wastewaters is
reported by the first time.
All polymers showed the capability of coagulation-flocculation of
suspended materials in a different extent, in comparison with
FeCl3. When a fixed dose of 100 mg/L was employed, the best
COD removal for a dose of 100 mg/L was for FeCl3 (55.7 %),
followed by the product form A. muricata (37.1 %), P. laevigata
(27.8%) and at the end, by the A. diversifolia product (9.3%).
FeCl3 assessment produced 5-fold the amount of sludges produced
by the polymers form A. muricata and P.laevigata, and 50-fold the
amount of sludge produced when using A. diversifolia.
When different doses of polysaccharides were assessed, the
behavior of COD removals and sludge production for A.
diversifolia were as follows. The higher the polymer dose, the
lower the COD removal. Regarding the sludge production, the
behavior is the same, except for the point where the polysaccharide
dose is 150 mg/L, were an increment in the production of sludges
is observed. In the case of A. muricata, the higher the polymer
dose, the higher the COD removal. This is the opposite behavior if
 European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

compared with figure 5 for A. diversifolia. COD removals were Prosopis laevigata seed gum and Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage for
between 26-37.6%. Doses of 50 and 75 mg/L reached almost the the treatment of municipal wastewaters by coagulation-flocculation.
same removal (c.a. 26%), while doses of 100 and 150 mg/L Journal of Environmental Management. 2011, Submitted.
reached about 37% of COD removal. 15. Carpinteyro-Urban, S., Yáñez, J. and Torres L.G. Coagulation
flocculation of wastewaters employing guar, locust bean and
mesquite gums, as well as Opuntia mucilage. Proceedings of the 2nd
The use of polysaccharides produced in the seeds of A. difersifolia
IWA Mexico Young Water Professional Conference, Querétaro,
and A. muricata have shown great potential to substitute Al and Fe
Mexico. April, 2010
salts + synthetic polymers employed in the coagulation-flocculation 16. Carpinteyro-Urban, S., Yáñez, J., Vaca, M. and Torres, L.G. Use of
process of wastewaters. New and sustainable biopolymers are biopolymers from vegetal origin in the coagulation-flocculation of a
necessary in order to make an industrial reality the use of high-load cosmetic industry wastewater. Proceedings of the IWA
biopolymers in wastewater treatment. This work shows that Water and Industry Specialist Conference, Valladolid, Spain. May,
galactomannans from A. diversifolia and A. muricata are good 2011
candidates for that purpose. Our research group is working on the 17. Sanghi, R.; Bhatttacharya, B.; Singh, V. Cassia angustifolia seed
scaling up of a wastewater treatment process that uses gum as an effective natural coagualant for decolourisation of dye
galactomannans as coagulant-flocculant aids up to a pilot plant solutions. Green Chemistry. 2002, 4; 252-254.
level (30 L/min). 18. Sanghi, R.; Bhatttacharya B.; Dixit A, and Singh, V. Ipomea
dasysperma seed gum: An effective natural coagulant for the
5. Acknowledgements decolorization of textile dye solutions. Journal of Environmental
This work was supported by ICyT-DF; Grant PICSO10-8. Authors Management, 2006, 81(1), 36-41.
thank the San Juan Ixhuatepec (Estado de Mexico) wastewater 19. Zhang J., Zhang F., Luo Y. and Yang H. A preliminary study on
cactus as coagulant in water treatment. Process Biochemistry, 2006,
treatment plant for the use of raw wastewaters.
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