Abstract
Flocculation and coagulation of organic material contained in raw water samples were evaluated by using starch as coagulation agent. The starch was obtained from topocho pelita ( Musa ABB) plantain clone, which is grown in the south area of the Department of Bolivar (Colombia). Native starch (NS) was chemically modified with acetic anhydride obtaining a 18.3% degree of acetylation (low acetylated starch, LAS) and 23.7% (high acetylated starch, HAS). The chemical structure of these biomaterials was analysed by FTIR spectroscopy. Characteristic peaks were observed at 1350 cm -1 (C-O stretching) and 950 cm -1 (C-O-C bending). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to determine morphology and size of the starch samples. Elongated grain shapes with sizes of 37±8 mm (NS), 35±11 mm (LAS) and 307±85 mm (HAS) were observed through this technique, suggesting a relationship between degree of acetylation and agglomeration of grains. Analysis of variance indicated that concentration of the starch samples is the only factor which has a statistically significant effect on the response variables (colour and turbidity) at a 95% confidence level. Colour removal capacities of 94%, 93% and 89% were estimated using the NS, LAS and HAS samples, respectively at a concentration of 200 mg/L. Additionally, a turbidity removal capacity of 96% was estimated for the NS sample, which compares very well with the 95% turbidity removal capacity obtained from the acetylated starches, indicating that native starch presents suitable properties to be used as coagulation agent for water treatment.
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