ISSN:
0006-3592
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
Experimental evidence is presented which indicates that both chemical and autoflocculation of microorganisms occur by the same mechanism. Basically, long chain polymeric species attach themselves between the microbial particles and agglomerate them into flocculant particles of sufficient magnitude to subside from suspension under quiescent conditions. Properties of the polymers which are produced during autoflocculation are investigated and these polymers are shown to be capable of causing the agglutination of inorganic colloids such as alumina. It is hypothesized that these biologically generated flocculating polymers could belong to a class of compounds known as transport enzymes. The experimental data qualitatively agrees with this hypothesis.
Additional Material:
13 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bit.260150605
