Adsorption Applications of Bacillus sp. Biomass for Decolorization of Soluble Reactive Dyes Contaminated Solutions
The optimal conditions of production of biopolymer by the culture of Bacillus sp.were examined, using molasses wastewater to replace glucose as carbon source and energy source in the culture medium. Results showed that the COD concentration in molasses wastewater favorable for the growth of the Bacillus sp.was 4500 mg•L-1, and inoculum size of 6%(v/v), 28◦C, initial pH 7.0 and shaking speed of 160 r•min-1, under the optimal culture conditions, the highest flocculating activity achieved for Kaolin suspension was 97.5% and 4.0 g biomass /L broth was obtained. The Bacillus sp. biomass was effective in flocculating some soluble reactive dyes in aqueous solution, reactive Light-Yellow K-4G and reactive Turquoise Blue KN-G with a decolorization efficiency of 98.5 and 92.5%, respectively, using 20 mL of the flocculant in 500 mL of 100 mg•L-1 dye solution.