Production and characterization of bioflocculant produced by Halobacillus sp Mvuyo isolated from bottom sediment of Algoa Bay

A bioflocculant-producing bacteria isolated from marine sediment of Algoa Bay was assessed for its bioflocculant-producing potentials. Based on 16S recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) sequence analysis, the isolate was identified as Halobacillus sp. and deposited in the Genbank as Halobacillus sp. Mvuyo with accession number HQ537125. The bacteria produced bioflocculant optimally in the presence of glucose (76% flocculating activity) and ammonium chloride (93% flocculating activity) as sole sources of carbon and nitrogen, respectively. The flocculating capabilities of the flocculant were increased by the addition of Ca2+ (76% flocculating activity) and the highest flocculating activity was observed at neutral pH (7.0). The chemical analysis of the bioflocculant revealed that it contained mainly polysaccharide and protein.