Natural coagulants from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in water treatment | Prirodni koagulanti iz zrna pasulja (Phaseolus vulgaris) u obradi vode

The aim of this PhD thesis was to investigate the possibility to obtain natural coagulants from common bean which could be used for different waters and wastewaters treatment. The optimal conditions for extraction of natural coagulants from common bean, the chemical composition of crude extracts obtained in different ways and the influence of various parameters on coagulation activity of crude extracts were determined within the performed experiments. The durability of crude extracts was checked and the way of their storage defined. Considering the fact that natural coagulants are of organic origin, they increase the content of organic matter in treated water. Hence, the different methods of purification of common bean crude extract were investigated and compared, and thereafter the influence of crude extract and purified coagulants on organic matter content in treated water was determined. Natural coagulants obtained from common bean were applied in bioethanol stillages in order to explore their efficiency in real waters. Besides, the possibility of their usage combined with conventional coagulants was investigated. At the end, the composition of common bean that remains after extraction of natural coagulants was determined in order to to prove if it was appropriate as addition to feed. Obtained results showed that extract of high coagulation activity can be obtained from common bean. It can be efficiently purified so as not to increase the organic matter content of the water, but on the contrary, to decrease it. Natural coagulants from common bean can be successfully applied for treatment of wastewaters remained after bioethanol production, they can be used as coagulant aid with alum, and the common bean remained after extraction of natural coagulants with distilled water can be utilized as addition to feed.