Optimization and Scale-Up of Solid-State Bioconversion for Microbial Coagulant Production toward Sustainable Water Treatment

Maroua Fellah; Md Zahangir Alam; Abdullah Al Mamun; Abdelmohsen Benoudjit; Nassereldeen Ahmed Kabbashi; Nurul Sakinah Engliman

doi:10.31436/iiumej.v27i2.4237

Authors

Maroua Fellah International Islamic University Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5676-2538
Md Zahangir Alam International Islamic University Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6491-3218
Abdullah Al Mamun International Islamic University Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7324-5514
Abdelmohsen Benoudjit University of Batna 2 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4372-7694
Nassereldeen Ahmed Kabbashi International Islamic University Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1524-5065
Nurul Sakinah Engliman International Islamic University Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2651-4064

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumej.v27i2.4237

Keywords:

microbial coagulant, response surface methodology, solid-state biconversion, scale-up, water treatment

Abstract

Microbial coagulants are emerging as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical coagulants owing to their non-toxicity, biodegradability, and sustainability. However, their use is limited by high production costs linked to expensive nutrient media and scalability issues. To address these challenges, this study developed a cost-effective microbial coagulant based on a fungus using cocopeat as a substrate. Growth conditions (malt extract, glucose, and pH) were optimized using the Face-Centered Central Composite Design (FCCCD) under Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to maximize coagulant yield. The performance in water treatment was evaluated using jar tests, and large-scale production techniques were investigated using a tray bioreactor and an agitated drum bioreactor (ADB). The fungal strain used in this study was identified as Phanerochaete concrescens, which demonstrated high turbidity-reducing efficiency, achieving a maximum flocculating activity of 93.06% in a standard jar test. These results were obtained under statistically optimized growth conditions, specifically 5 days of incubation at 25°C, 70% moisture content, 3% malt extract, 2.5% glucose, and pH 7, confirming model predictions. Phanerochaete concrescens was successfully scaled using a tray fermenter, achieving a flocculation rate of 92% after 5 days of incubation at 70% moisture, pH 7, and a 3 cm substrate thickness. However, in a 30 L agitated bioreactor drum, flocculating activity was recorded at 29% due to insufficient fungal growth at the tested agitation rate. This study confirms the feasibility of a cost-effective microbial coagulant that can be scaled appropriately, offering a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to chemical coagulants.

ABSTRAK: Koagulan mikrob muncul sebagai alternatif mesra alam pada koagulan kimia kerana sifatnya yang tidak toksik, terbiodegradasi, dan mampan. Walau bagaimanapun, penggunaannya terhad kerana kos pengeluaran tinggi disebabkan oleh media nutrien yang mahal dan isu kebolehskalaan. Bagi menangani cabaran ini, kajian ini membangunkan koagulan mikrob kos efektif berdasarkan kulapuk kokopit sebagai substrat. Keadaan pertumbuhan (ekstrak malt, glukosa, dan pH) dioptimumkan menggunakan Reka Bentuk Komposit Berpusat Muka (FCCCD) di bawah Kaedah Gerak Balas Permukaan (RSM) bagi memaksimum hasil koagulan. Prestasi dalam rawatan air dinilai menggunakan ujian balang, dan teknik pengeluaran skala besar dikaji menggunakan bioreaktor dulang dan bioreaktor dram bergoncang (ADB). Strain kulat yang digunakan dalam kajian ini dikenal pasti sebagai Phanerochaete concrescens, menunjukkan kecekapan tinggi dalam mengurangkan kekeruhan, mencapai aktiviti pengflokulan maksimum 93.06% melalui ujian piawai balang. Keputusan ini diperoleh di bawah keadaan pertumbuhan yang optimum secara statistik, iaitu 5 hari pengeraman pada suhu 25°C, kandungan lembapan 70%, ekstrak malt 3%, glukosa 2.5%, dan pH 7, mengesahkan model ramalan. Phanerochaete concrescens berjaya diskala menggunakan penapai dulang, dengan kadar pengflokulan 92% dicapai selepas 5 hari pengeraman di bawah lembapan 70%, pH 7, dan ketebalan substrat 3 cm. Walau bagaimanapun, dalam dram bioreaktor bergoncang 30 L, aktiviti pengflokulan direkodkan pada 29% disebabkan oleh pertumbuhan kulat yang tidak mencukupi pada kadar goncangan yang diuji. Kajian ini mengesahkan kebolehlaksanaan koagulan mikrob kos efektif pada skala wajar, menawarkan alternatif mampan dan terbiodegradasi pada koagulan kimia.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Gizewski J., van der Sande L., Holtmann D. (2023) Contribution of electrobiotechnology to sustainable development goals. Trends Biotechnol. 41(9):1106–1108. https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.02.009

Qu J., Liu H., Liu G. (2022) Science and technology for combating global water challenges. Engineering 9:1–2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2022.01.007

Chakraborty R., Asthana A., Singh A.K., Jain B., Susan A.B.H. (2022) Adsorption of heavy metal ions by various low-cost adsorbents: a review. Int. J. Environ. Anal. Chem. 102(2):342–379. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2020.1722811

Tan X., Wei H., Zhou Y., Zhang C., Ho S.-H. (2022) Adsorption of sulfamethoxazole via biochar: the key role of characteristic components derived from different growth stage of microalgae. Environ. Res. 210:11296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.112965

Elmoutez S.S., Abushaban A., Necibi M.C., Sillanp M., Liu J., Dhiba D., Chehbouni A., Taky M. (2023) Design and operational aspects of anaerobic membrane bioreactor for efficient wastewater treatment and biogas production. Environ. Challenges 10:100671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2022.100671

Lanzetta A., Papirio S., Oliva A., Cesaro A., Pucci L., Capasso E.M., Esposito G., Pirozzi F. (2023) Ozonation processes for color removal from urban and leather tanning wastewater. Water 15(13):2362. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15132362

Ang W.L., Mohammad A.W. (2020) State of the art and sustainability of natural coagulants in water and wastewater treatment. J. Clean. Prod. 262:121267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121267

Renault F., Sancey B., Badot P.M., Crini G. (2009) Chitosan for coagulation/flocculation processes an eco-friendly approach. Eur. Polym. J. 45(5):1337–1348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2008.12.027

El-Gaayda J., Titchou F.E., Oukhrib R., Yap P.-S., Liu T., Hamdani M., Ait Akbour R. (2021) Natural flocculants for the treatment of wastewaters containing dyes or heavy metals: A state-of-the-art review. J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 9(5):106060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2021.106060

Metin S., ifi D.. (2023) Chemical industry wastewater treatment by coagulation combined with Fenton and photo-Fenton processes. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol. 98(5):1158–1165. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.7321

Ahmad A, Abdullah S.R.S., Hasan H.A., Othman A.R., Ismail N.I. (2021) Plant-based versus metal-based coagulants in aquaculture wastewater treatment: Effect of mass ratio and settling time. J. Water Process Eng. 43:102269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102269

Kurniawan S.B., Abdullah S.R.S., Imron M.F., Said N.S.M., Ismail N., Hasan H.A., Othman A.R., Purwanti I.F. (2020) Challenges and opportunities of biocoagulant/bioflocculant application for drinking water and wastewater treatment and its potential for sludge recovery. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 17(24):9312. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249312

Gautam S., Saini G. (2020) Use of natural coagulants for industrial wastewater treatment.Glob. J. Environ. Sci. Manag. 6(4):553–578. https://doi.org/10.22034/gjesm.2020.04.10

Ayangbenro A.S., Babalola O.O., Aremu O.S. (2019) Bioflocculant production and heavy metal sorption by metal resistant bacterial isolates from gold mining soil. Chemosphere 231:113–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.092

Pu L., Zeng Y.J., Xu P., Li F.Z., Zong M.H., Yang J.G., Lou W.Y. (2020) Using a novel polysaccharide BM2 produced by Bacillus megaterium strain PL8 as an efficient bioflocculant for wastewater treatment. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 162:374–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.167

Giri S.S., Harshiny M., Sen S.S. (2015) Production and characterization of a thermostable bioflocculant from Bacillus subtilis F9, isolated from wastewater sludge. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 121:45–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.06.010

Sivasankar P., Poongodi S., Lobo A.O., Pugazhendhi A. (2020) Characterization of a novel polymeric bioflocculant from marine actinobacterium Streptomyces sp. And its application in recovery of microalgae. Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad. 148:104883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2020.104883

Yafetto L. (2022) Application of solid-state fermentation by microbial biotechnology for bioprocessing of agro-industrial wastes from 1970 to 2020: A review and bibliometric analysis. Heliyon 8(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09173

Selo G., Planini M., Tima M., Tomas S., Koceva Komleni D., Buci-Koji A. (2021) A comprehensive review on valorization of agro-food industrial residues by solid-state fermentation. Foods 10(5):927. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10050927

Farinas C.S. (2015) Developments in solid-state fermentation for the production of biomass-degrading enzymes for the bioenergy sector. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 52:179–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.07.092

Prado-Barragn L.A., Figueroa J.J.B., Rodrguez Durn L.V., Aguilar Gonzlez C.N., Hennigs C. (2016) Fermentative production methods. In: Biotransformation of Agricultural Waste and By-Products, pp. 189–217. Elsevier, Amsterdam. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803622-8.00007-0

Guo J., Yang C., Peng L. (2014) Optimization of microbial flocculant production by response surface methodology. Bioresour. Technol. 152:490–498. http://10.1007/s12088-016-0631-3

Fellah M., Alam M.Z., Al-Mamun A., Khabbashi N.A., Engliman N.S., Arab S.H. (2023) Effect of the lignocellulolytic substrates and fermentation process parameters on microbial coagulant production for water treatment. IIUM Eng. J. 24(1):13–26. https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumej.v24i1.2400

Fellah M., Alam M., Al-Mamun A., Kabbashi N., Engliman N. (2021) Evaluation of solid-state production of microbial coagulant using various lignocellulosic media to reduce water turbidity. IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 1192(1):012022. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1192/1/012022

Maran J.P., Manikandan S., Nivetha C.V., Dinesh R. (2017) Ultrasound assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from Nephelium lappaceum L. fruit peel using central composite face centered response surface design. Arabian J. Chem. 10:1145–1157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2013.02.007.

Zulkeflee Z., Snchez A. (2014) Solid-state fermentation of soybean residues for bioflocculant production in a pilot-scale bioreactor system. Water Sci. Technol.70(6):1032–1039. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2014.329

Aljuboori, A. H. R., Uemura, Y., Osman, N. B., & Yusup, S. (2014). Production of a bioflocculant from Aspergillus niger using palm oil mill effluent as carbon source. Bioresource technology, 171,66-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.08.038.

Ma, C. H., Liu, T. T., Yang, L., Zu, Y. G., Chen, X., Zhang, L., ... & Zhao, C. (2011). Ionic liquid-based microwave-assisted extraction of essential oil and biphenyl cyclooctene lignans from Schisandra chinensis Baill fruits. Journal of Chromatography a, 1218(48), 8573-8580. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms131114294

David, O.; Oluwole, O.; Ayodele, O.; Lasisi, T. Characterisation of fungal bioflocculants and its application in water treatment. Curr. J. Appl. Sci. Technol. 2019, 34, 1 9. http://10.9734/cjast/2019/v34i630159

Tsilo, P. H., Basson, A. K., Ntombela, Z. G., Maliehe, T. S., & Pullabhotla, R. V. (2021). Isolation and optimization of culture conditions of a bioflocculant-producing fungi from Kombucha tea SCOBY. Microbiology Research, 12(4), 950-966. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres12040070

HASSAN, H. B., ALAM, M. Z., Al Mamun, A. B. D. U. L. L. A. H., & MUJELI, M. (2021). Screening of Nutrients for The Production of Microbial coagulant from Lentinus Squarrosulus for Water Treatment. Evaluation, 1, 12.

Pu, S., Ma, H., Deng, D., Xue, S., Zhu, R., Zhou, Y., & Xiong, X. (2018). Isolation, identification, and characterization of an Aspergillus niger bioflocculant-producing strain using potato starch wastewater as nutrilite and its application. PloS one, 13(1), e0190236. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190236

Ramachandran, S., Patel, A. K., Nampoothiri, K. M., Francis, F., Nagy, V., Szakacs, G., & Pandey, A. (2004). Coconut oil cake––a potential raw material for the production of ?-amylase. Bioresource technology, 93(2), 169-174. https://10.1016/j.biortech.2003.10.021

Krishna, P. R., Srivastava, A. K., Ramaswamy, N. K., Suprasanna, P., & D'souza, S. F. (2012). Banana peel as substrate for alpha-amylase production using Aspergillus niger NCIM 616 and process optimization. Indian journal of biotechnology, 11(3), 314-319.