Structural characterization and water turbidity removing efficacy of Portulaca mucilage–alginate (PMA) beads

Abstract

AbstractThe focus of the present study includes the isolation, characterization, and a correlation of water clarification efficacy of mucilage from Portulaca oleracea leaves, a food-grade polysaccharide and its encapsulated calcium alginate beads. The characterization of mucilage powder was conducted for its physical and chemical properties. Portulaca mucilage was encapsulated in calcium alginate to develop Portulaca mucilage–alginate (PMA) beads. The developed beads were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, thermo gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetric analysis, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques to study various physicochemical aspects. Efficiency of PMA beads for water clarification in low as well as high turbid water was investigated. Percentage turbidity removal was found to be 97 and 87%, respectively, in high and low turbid waters. Efficiency of recycled beads was also studied. Mucilage and PMA beads showed varied sur...