Synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted polyvinyl pyrollidone (PVP-g-PAM) and study of its application in algal biomass harvesting

• PVP-g-PAM synthesized by microwave assisted method for algal biomass harvesting.
• 35.37% biomass was recovered spectrophotometrically and 47.82% gravimetrically.
• The algal cells were live, intact and unbroken.
• Protein and fat of biomass were estimated at 39.46% and 32.0% respectively.
• The calorific value was estimated at 3591.26 Kcal/Kg.

Acrylamide monomers have been grafted onto the backbone of polyvinyl pyrollolidone by microwave assisted process, resulting to a novel graft copolymer i.e. polyacrylamide grafted polyvinyl pyrolidone (PVP-g-PAM).The synthesized graft copolymer have been characterized through standard physicochemical techniques. Further, dewatering capability of distinct grades of PVP-g-PAM has been studied as a flocculant in algal biomass harvesting. Best grade of graft copolymer showed highest flocculation efficacy which collected 35.37% algal biomass (speculative, as indicated by optical density) and 47.82% by gravimetric method (actual biomass recovered). The microscopic images of collected biomass indicated that the algal cells were vital and unbroken but stuck together in a massive clump which was collected by decantation process. Some nutritional investigations of the collected biomass were also carried out. The protein and crude fat content in dry algal biomass has been found 39.46% and 32.0% respectively. The calculated calorific value of algal biomass by DULONG FORMULA has been found 3591.26 Kcal/Kg.

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