Bioflocculant production and biosorption of zinc and lead by a novel bacterial species, Achromobacter sp. TERI-IASST N, isolated from oil refinery waste

• Bioflocculant producing Achromobacter sp. TERI-IASST N was isolated from oil refinery waste.
• 90% Bioflocculation activity and 10.5 g L−1 bioflocculant yield obtained at optimum parameters.
• Optimum pH, incubation time, suitable nitrogen, sugar, cation source and C/N ratio are; 6, 120 h, urea, sucrose, Ca2+ and 1.
• Simultaneously, TERI-IASST N strain revealed significant biosorption of Zn and Pb heavy metals.
• FT-IR & NMR analysis results reveled the bioflocculant is a glycoprotein.

A bioflocculant-producing bacterial isolate designated as ‘TERI-IASST N’ was isolated from activated sludge samples collected from an oil refinery. This isolate demonstrated maximum bioflocculation activity (74%) from glucose among 15 different bioflocculant-producing bacterial strains isolated from the sludge samples and identified as Achromobacter sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequence. Optimization of pH and supplementation of urea as nitrogen source in the production medium enhanced the flocculation activity of strain TERI-IASST N to 84% (at pH 6). This strain revealed maximum flocculation activity (90%) from sucrose compared to the flocculation activity observed from other carbon sources as investigated (glucose, lactose, fructose, maltose and starch). Ca2+ served as the suitable divalent cation for maximum bioflocculation activity of TERI-IASST strain N. Maximum flocculation activity was observed at optimum C/N ratio of 1. Flocculation activity of this strain decreased to 75% in the presence of heavy metals; Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu and Cd. In addition strain N revealed considerable biosorption of Zn (430 mg L−1) and Pb (30 mg L−1). Bioflocculant yield of strain N was 10.5 g L−1. Fourier transform infrared spectrum indicated the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amino groups, typical of glycoprotein. Spectroscopic analysis of bioflocculant by nuclear magnetic resonance revealed that it is a glycoprotein, consisting of 57% total sugar and 13% protein.