REVIEW PAPER
A Review of the Application of Biofloccualnts
in Wastewater Treatment
Mayowa O. Agunbiade1,2, Carolina H. Pohl2, Anofi O.T. Ashafa1
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1Phytomedicine and Phytopharmacology Research Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free Sate,
Qwaqwa Campus, Puthaditjabha 9866, South Africa
2Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State,
Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
Submission date: 2015-10-14
Final revision date: 2015-12-17
Acceptance date: 2015-12-19
Publication date: 2016-07-22
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2016;25(4):1381-1389
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ABSTRACT
The rate of increase in industrialization and daily human activities has resulted in a tremendous increase
in the amounts of waste and wastewater containing organic and inorganic pollutants discharged to the environment.
Coagulation-flocculation technology has been widely employed in water/wastewater treatment as
a convenient and reliable technique for removing colloids, particles, and cell debris. Organic and inorganic
flocculants have also been used in fermentation industries, and in waste and water treatment due to its potential
to flocculate efficiently at a minute dosage. However, their use has been restricted as a result of their low
efficiency, associated health risks, and non-biodegradability. As a result, the health implication of chemical
flocculants has necessitated environmentally friendly biodegradable bioflocculants in wastewater treatment
in terms of dye, colour, solids, and turbidity removal. Industrial applications of some microorganisms implicated
in bioflocculation have been established. However, the application of actinobacteria strains that have
been isolated, screened, and confirmed for bioflocculation have yet to be validated. Hence, this paper reiterates
that Actinobacteria have been implicated in flocculation and elaborates on the need for isolation and
screening of novel Actinomycetes with better removal and cost efficiency in order to enhance their large- and
medium-scale production and establish their industrial application.