Eco-friendly flocculation of tapioca wastewater: Efficiency evaluation of Alcaligenes latus bioflocculant in combination with alum
Achyani Achyani 1 * , Agus Sutanto 2 , Handoko Santoso 2
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1 Department of Science Education, Muhammadiyah Metro University, Lampung, INDONESIA2 Department of Biology Education, Muhammadiyah Metro University, Lampung, INDONESIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Tapioca industrial wastewater contains high concentrations of organic matter, suspended solids, and toxic compounds, necessitating the need for effective and sustainable treatment prior to discharge. This study evaluated the performance of bioflocculants produced by Alcaligenes latus in treating tapioca processing effluent, applied both independently and in combination with the chemical coagulant alum. Experiments were conducted at the bioindustry laboratory, faculty of agricultural technology, Bogor Agricultural University, using wastewater from PT Inti Sumber Agung Lancar, East Lampung. Bioflocculants were produced through fermentation and tested using the jar test method. Key parameters analyzed included total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand over 5 days (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD), color, cyanide content, and pH. The optimal combination of 2 mL bioflocculant and 6 mg alum achieved the highest removal efficiencies for COD (83.80%), TSS (70.15%), and BOD₅ (67.38%), with notable reductions in cyanide (31.29%) and color (15.98%), while maintaining neutral pH (6.85-6.94). The results demonstrate a synergistic effect between biological and inorganic coagulants, highlighting their potential as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic agents. This approach contributes to achieving the goals of SDG 6, SDG 9, SDG 12, and SDG 14 by promoting cleaner industrial processes. Moreover, the study’s outcomes provide enrichment material for environmental biology education, fostering awareness of biotechnological innovations that support sustainable development.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EUR J SUSTAIN DEV RES, Volume 10, Issue 2, 2026, Article No: em0365

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/17636

Publication date: 01 Apr 2026

Online publication date: 23 Dec 2025

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Article Downloads: 12

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