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Cucumeropsis mannii and Luffa acutangula Seed Proteins Analysis as a Novel Plant-Based Bio-coagulant: Fecal Sludge Treatment and Dewatering

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Abstract

Developing a novel bio-coagulant based on plant seeds using effective and affordable technique is an innovative way to advance bio-coagulant research in both developed and developing countries. This study investigates the potentiality and capacity of new bio-coagulants from Cucumeropsis mannii and Luffa acutangula seed proteins extract and purify for fecal sludge dewatering. A factorial design was made to obtain the best overall process optimization and improve the reaction between the coagulation/flocculation factors to provide suitable conditions for fecal sludge dewatering and concentrate a maximum of organic matter for biogas production. The experimental method identifies the potential parameters and the plant seed components that could interact based on different dosages used to optimize the treatment. To enhance the treatment, 10 mg/l of protein solution with a concentration of 10 g/l at pH 7.25 is considered a low-level dosage, and 20 mg/l of protein solution with a concentration of 20 g/l at pH 7.25 is considered a high-level dosage. The results have shown that the dosage of 20 mg/l of protein solution with a concentration of 20 g/l at pH 7.25 is optimal, with 99.17% turbidity, 99.58% COD and 99.13% ammonia nitrogen removal for C. mannii while L. acutangula seed proteins remove 97.67% turbidity, 98.49% COD and 98.7% ammonia nitrogen and recover 80% of water during fecal sludge dewatering.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the National Key Research and Development Plan (2019YFC0408700) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Research Development and technical assistance to RTTC-China Project (OPP1161151) and Reinvent the Toilet China Project: Innovative Toilet Solutions and Commercial Activities (OPP1157726)). The International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Environment and Energy Technology of MOST supported this study.

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The authors declare that they have no funds for this research that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The authors declare the following fund source, which may be considered as a potential conflict for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutant, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, People’s Republic of China

    Francis Auguste Fleury Junior Dima, Zifu Li & Xiaoqin Zhou

  2. Nanjing Academy of Resources and Ecology Sciences, Jiangbeixinqu, Nanjing, 211500, People’s Republic of China

    Francis Auguste Fleury Junior Dima, Zifu Li & Lixin Zhu

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  1. Francis Auguste Fleury Junior Dima
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Contributions

FAFJD: (Ph.D. student) conducted all the experiments and wrote the manuscript. ZL (Professor) revised the manuscript. XZ (Associate Professor) wrote and revised the manuscript. LZ: (Senior engineer) helped with experiment resources and revised the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Francis Auguste Fleury Junior Dima or Zifu Li.

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The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships, which may be considered as potential competing interests.

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At this moment, I, Dima Francis Auguste Fleury Junior, consciously assure that for the manuscript: Plant Seed-Based Bio-coagulant Development and Application for Fecal Sludge Treatment and Biogas Production Improvement, the following is fulfilled: (1) This paper is the author’s original work, which has yet to be previously published elsewhere. (2) The paper is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere. (3) The paper reflects the author's own research and analysis wholly and truthfully. (4) The paper properly credits the meaningful contributions of co-authors and co-researchers. (5) The results are appropriately placed in the prior and existing research context. (6) All sources used are correctly disclosed (correct citation). Copying of text must be indicated as such by using quotation marks and giving proper references. (7) All authors have been personally and actively involved in substantial work leading to the paper and will take public responsibility for its content. The violation of the Ethical Statement rules may result in severe consequences. To verify originality, your article may be checked by the originality detection software authenticate. I agree with the above statements and declare that this submission follows the policies of Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery as outlined in the Guide for Authors and in the Ethical Statement.

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Dima, F.A.F.J., Li, Z., Zhou, X. et al. Cucumeropsis mannii and Luffa acutangula Seed Proteins Analysis as a Novel Plant-Based Bio-coagulant: Fecal Sludge Treatment and Dewatering. Waste Biomass Valor (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-023-02399-8

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