FLOCCULATION AND REMOVAL OF MICROCYSTIN AERUGINOSA CELLS BY NATURAL FLOCCULANT FROM POMEGRANATE PEEL

The aqueous extract from pomegranate peel (AEPP) was used to remove Microcystis aeruginosa. The flocculating properties of the natural flocculant from pomegranate peel to M. aeruginosa were investigated, which included the factors (i.e., the particle size of the pomegranate peel, the ratio of the material to the solvent, the addition of the natural flocculant, membrane pore size and density algae) influencing the removal of the algae from solutions. The removal efficiencies of algae were found to be significantly different with the pore sizes of the used membranes for filtration. The particulate matter in the aqueous extract had good effect of aid to the coagulation. In addition, the addition of AEPP pronouncedly influenced the algae removal, giving rise to the removal efficiency up to 13.99%, 26.55%, 63.84%, and 94.63% at the addition amount of 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, and 3.0 mL, respectively. Therefore, the natural flocculant from pomegranate peel was strongly confirmed to offer the favorable characteristics in M. aeruginosa removal.