Mucilage of<i>Opuntia ficus‐indica</i>for Use as a Flocculant of Suspended Particulates and Arsenic

Young, Kim Eun; Pichler, Thomas; Anzalone, Alessandro; Alcantar, Norma

doi:10.1002/9780470371046.ch9

Cited by 1 publication

(4 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Kaolin (hydrated aluminum silicate; Fisher Scientific, S71954) suspensions with final concentrations of 50 g/L were set up in the appropriate water type at least 24 h prior to the run of the experiment to allow kaolin particles thorough hydration time ,, . A 1-mL portion of 0.01 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (Sigma) with a pH of 7.4 was added to the kaolin suspension in order to maintain the same solution background used in tests with B. cereus , which were suspended in PBS.…”

Section: Materials and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through simple extraction processes, two fractions of mucilage gum can be obtained from fresh cut Opuntia ficus-indica pads including a Gelling Extract (GE) and Non-Gelling Extract (NE) , . Mucilage consist of up to 55 sugars, mainly arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, xylose, glucose, and uronic acids, the percentage of which varies with mucilage type ,, .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Young et al demonstrated that cactus mucilage is an effective tool for separating sediments (clay and mud particles) represented by kaolin, from deionized (DI) water suspensions. In previous studies, kaolin settling rates observed in columns treated with mucilage and aluminum sulfate (Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ), a common commercially used flocculant, were compared and mucilage was concluded to induce a greater increase in settling rate ,, . Related tests also indicate that mucilage extracted from the Opuntia spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Removal of Sediment and Bacteria from Water Using Green Chemistry

Buttice

Stroot

Lim

et al. 2010

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Although nearly all newly derived water purification methods have improved the water quality in developing countries, few have been accepted and maintained for long-term use. Field studies indicate that the most beneficial methods use indigenous resources, as they are both accessible and accepted by communities they help. In an effort to implement a material that will meet community needs, two fractions of mucilage gum were extracted from the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus and tested as flocculation agents against sediment and bacterial contamination. As diatomic ions are known to affect both mucilage and promote cell aggregation, CaCl(2) was studied in conjunction and compared with mucilage as a bacteria removal method. To evaluate performance, ion-rich waters that mimic natural water bodies were prepared. Column tests containing suspensions of the sediment kaolin exhibited particle flocculation and settling rates up to 13.2 cm/min with mucilage versus control settling rates of 0.5 cm/min. Bacillus cereus tests displayed flocculation and improved settling times with mucilage concentrations lower than 5 ppm and removal rates between 97 and 98% were observed for high bacteria concentration tests (>10(8) cells/ml). This natural material not only displays water purification abilities, but it is also affordable, renewable and readily available.

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Section: Materials and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Removal of Sediment and Bacteria from Water Using Green Chemistry

Buttice

Stroot

Lim

et al. 2010

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…While cactus mucilage has been explored for water purification, , our research group was the first to demonstrate an interaction between cactus mucilage and arsenic. , Solutions of arsenate (As (V)), which were treated with mucilage showed differences in arsenic concentration at the air–water interface over time. These concentration differences were attributed to the mucilage binding the arsenic and transporting it either toward or away from the air–water interface.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Removing Heavy Metals in Water: The Interaction of Cactus Mucilage and Arsenate (As (V))

Fox

Pichler

Yeh

et al. 2012

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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High concentrations of arsenic in groundwater continue to present health threats to millions of consumers worldwide. Particularly, affected communities in the developing world need accessible technologies for arsenic removal from drinking water. We explore the application of cactus mucilage, pectic polysaccharide extracts from Opuntia ficus-indica for arsenic removal. Synthetic arsenate (As (V)) solutions were treated with two extracts, a gelling extract (GE) and a nongelling extract (NE) in batch trials. The arsenic concentration at the air-water interface was measured after equilibration. The GE and NE treated solutions showed on average 14% and 9% increases in arsenic concentration at the air-water interface respectively indicating that the mucilage bonded and transported the arsenic to the air-water interface. FTIR studies showed that the -CO groups (carboxyl and carbonyl groups) and -OH (hydroxyl) functional groups of the mucilage were involved in the interaction with the arsenate. Mucilage activity was greater in weakly basic (pH 9) and weakly acidic (pH 5.5) pH. This interaction can be optimized and harnessed for the removal of arsenic from drinking water. This work breaks the ground for the application of natural pectic materials to the removal of anionic metallic species from water.

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Mucilage ofOpuntia ficus‐indicafor Use as a Flocculant of Suspended Particulates and Arsenic

Cited by 1 publication

References 37 publications

Removal of Sediment and Bacteria from Water Using Green Chemistry

Removal of Sediment and Bacteria from Water Using Green Chemistry

Removing Heavy Metals in Water: The Interaction of Cactus Mucilage and Arsenate (As (V))

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