Magnetic Extracellular Polymer Composite for the Effective Removal of Microcystin

Microcystin is heterocyclic toxin released from dead cyanobacterial cells, and their potential occurrence in drinking water sources prompted investigations into remedial water treatments for their removal. The present investigation employed the magnetic iron oxide extracellular polymer (ECP–Fe3O4) composite for the effective removal of microcystin from treated wastewater. The extracellular polymer produced from bacterial cell was impregnated with magnetite to develop ECP–Fe3O4 composite. The ECP–Fe3O4 matrix was characterized by optical microscope, FTIR, XRD. The ECP–Fe3O4 matrix was used for the removal of microcystin in aqueous solution. ECP–Fe2O3 matrix removed microcystin about 96% after treated water. ECP–Fe3O4 effectively removed the microcystin as the ECP and Fe ion-integrated matrix is an effective complex with special functional groups such as carboxylic and amide groups to sequester microcystin in aqueous solution. The matrix was separated by the application of magnetic field. The separated matrix was reused for the microcystin removal, and the efficiency of recovered ECP–Fe3O4 was consistent even after several cycles for the removal of microcystin. The microcystin removal was confirmed by UV–visible spectral analysis.