Identifying Molecular Mass of Coagulant Protein from Edible Hibiscus Seeds Using SDS-PAGE Analysis
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 145, Issue 11
Abstract
This study used sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis and a jar test apparatus to investigate the molecular weight (MW) and turbidity removal potential of Hibiscus seeds. Three Hibiscus species were assessed: okra crude extract (OCE), sabdariffa crude extract (SCE), and kenaf crude extract (KCE). Furthermore, purified versions of each [i.e., purified okra protein (POP), purified sabdariffa protein (PSP), and purified kenaf protein (PKP)] obtained from anionic exchange were evaluated. The results show that whereas the crude extracts had multiple proteins with MW sizes between 11 and 82 kDa, the purified samples consisted of a single coagulant protein band around 39 kDa. In each case, significant turbidity removal was recorded with the purified proteins; POP, PSP and PKP achieved approximately 98%, 94%, and 90% removal, respectively, at a reduced dosage of . However, OCE and SCE achieved lower turbidity removal of 86% and 85% using 40-mg/L doses, respectively, whereas KCE recorded only 73% turbidity removal with a 60-mg/L dose. Sludge generation by crude and purified proteins was approximately 25% of sludge produced by aluminum sulfate and had the additional benefit of being biodegradable. Therefore, the coagulant protein in Hibiscus plant seeds has potential applications for improvements to accessing clean water in developing countries.
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Acknowledgments
The first author acknowledges the financial support given to this research work by the Nigerian Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund/AST &D/2013/2014). The authors thank Mark Carter (Department of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham) for assistance with the materials for preparing the coagulants and Dr. Saverio Brogna (School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham), for laboratory access for the SDS-PAGE analysis.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 145 • Issue 11 • November 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 24, 2018
Accepted: Mar 20, 2019
Published online: Aug 27, 2019
Published in print: Nov 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Jan 27, 2020
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