Qualitative analysis of components of bioflocculant prepared with Bacillus fusiformis for the treatment of tannery wastewater

A bioflocculant prepared with Bacillus fusiformis was used to treat tannery wastewater to detect the ability to remove total nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and colority from tannery wastewater. The bioflocculant was then subjected to component analysis for saccharides, proteins, glycoprotein, osamine, fat, and nucleic acid using the Molisch reaction, Biuret reaction, Anthrone reaction, Elson–Morgan method, Soxhlet extraction method, and spectrophotometry, respectively. The results demonstrated that the prepared bioflocculant was able to remove total nitrogen, COD, and colority from tannery wastewater. Component analysis revealed that the bioflocculant contained saccharides and proteins, which may have existed as glycoproteins, in addition to osamines and fats. The bioflocculant did not contain nucleic acid. These results will contribute to future research into the mechanism by which bioflocculants remove contaminants from tannery wastewater.